Effects of aerobic, resistance and concurrent exercise on pulse wave reflection and autonomic modulation in men with elevated blood pressure

Blood pressure responsiveness to resistance training in the hypertensive older adult: a randomized controlled study

Different lifestyle changes have been employed to improve clinical hypertension. However, there is scarce evidence on the blood pressure responsiveness to resistance training (RT) in hypertensive older adults. Consequently, little is known about some participants clinically reducing blood pressure and others not. Thus, we investigate the effects and responsiveness of RT on blood pressure in hypertensive older adults. We secondarily evaluated the biochemical risk factors for cardiovascular disease and functional performance. Older participants with hypertension were randomly assigned into RT (n = 27) and control group (n = 25). Blood pressure, functional performance (timed up and go, handgrip strength, biceps curl and sit-to-stand), fasting glucose, and lipid profiles were evaluated preintervention and postintervention. The statistic was performed in a single-blind manner, the statistician did not know who was the control and RT. RT was effective in reducing systolic blood pressure (SBP) (pre 135.7 ± 14.7; post 124.7 ± 11.0; P  < 0.001) and the responses to RT stimuli varied noticeably between hypertensive older adults after 12 weeks. For example, 13 and 1 responders displayed a minimal clinical important difference for SBP attenuation (10.9 mmHg) in the RT and control groups, respectively. RT improved the functional performance of older people with hypertension, while no differences were found in biochemical parameters (triglycerides, HDL, LDL, fasting glucose) after 12 weeks. In conclusion, responses to RT stimuli varied noticeably between hypertensive individuals and RT was effective in reducing SBP.

Exercise training reduces arterial stiffness in women with high blood pressure: a systematic review and meta-analysis

The acute and long-term benefits of exercise on cardiovascular health are well established, yet the optimal mode of exercise training that improves arterial stiffness in women with high blood pressure remains unclear. The aim of this systematic review and meta-analysis was to assess the influence of aerobic and resistance training on arterial stiffness in women with high blood pressure. After an extensive search of four online databases, six randomized controlled trials met the inclusion criteria and were included in meta-analyses. Data were extracted from six studies examining the influence of exercise on arterial stiffness assessed by pulse wave velocity (PWV) and were expressed as standardized mean difference (SMD). Whereas aerobic exercise significantly reduced arterial PWV in women with high blood pressure after long-term training [SMD -1.87, 95% confidence interval (CI) -2.34 to -1.40], resistance training had a more modest effect that was borderline statistically significant (SMD -0.31, 95% CI -0.65 to 0.03). These findings suggest regular long-term aerobic exercise training (i.e. 12-20 week interventions) reduces arterial stiffness in women with high blood pressure. Although not statistically significant, the modest number of included trials and lack of publication bias encourages further assessments on the efficacy of resistance exercise for improving arterial stiffness in women with high blood pressure. Given the unique benefits of aerobic and resistance training, particularly for postmenopausal women (e.g. bone health and muscular strength), both modes of training should be encouraged for women with high blood pressure to enhance arterial function and support favorable cardiovascular outcomes.

Improved arterial stiffness after combined aerobic and resistance training: correlation with heart rate variability change in prehypertensive offspring of hypertensive parents

Prehypertensive offspring of hypertensive parents are strongly linked to pathological processes of hypertension in later life. It is observed that young adults with high blood pressure (BP) have increased arterial stiffness, which is linked to autonomic anomalies. The purpose of the present study was to assess the effect of combined resistance and aerobic exercise training on BP, brachial-ankle pulse wave velocity (baP-WV), and heart rate variability (HRV) in prehypertensive young men with hypertensive parents. Thirty prehypertensive males aged 19.6±1.2 years were randomly assigned to either a combined exercise training group (CBT, n=15) or no exercise group (CON, n=15). The CBT group performed combined exercise for 8 weeks, 3 times per week. BP, baP-WV, HRV, peak oxygen consumption (VO_2peak), and muscle strength were measured before and after the exercise intervention. Systolic BP (-5.1 mmHg, 3.9% decrease, P<0.05), diastolic BP (-3.9 mmHg, 6.1% decrease, P<0.01), mean arterial pressure (-4.2 mmHg, 4.7% decrease, P<0.05), baPWV (-0.4 m/sec, 3.5% decrease, P<0.01), standard deviation of all RR intervals (+58.5% increase, P<0.05) and very low frequency (VLF) (+34.6% increase, P<0.01), VO_2peak (+11.7% increase, P<0.01) and one-repetition maximum leg press (+30.3% increase, P<0.01) were significantly improved in the CBT group after 8 weeks of training versus the CON group. Additionally, a reduction in baPWV was associated with an increase in the VLF power of HRV (r=0.72, P<0.01). These findings indicate that the combined training improves BP, arterial stiffness, vagal activity, cardiorespiratory fitness, and lower-body muscle strength in prehypertensive offspring of hypertensive parents.