Resistance exercise for the management of arterial hypertension: An intervention that works!

Impact of resistance exercise program on muscle strength, cardiopulmonary function and glycolipid metabolism of bedridden population aged 80 years and above: A randomized controlled trial

BACKGROUND

This study aimed to evaluate the impact of a resistance exercise program in the bedridden older adults in China.

METHODS

The patients aged 80 years and above with stable diseases were randomly divided into control group (receiving routine treatment and nursing) and training group (receiving the elastic ball and elastic band training applied for 55 minutes, 3 times a week during 6 months).

RESULTS

A total of 59 patients (control group: 30; training groups: 29) completed the study. In terms of muscle strength, the patients of the training group had better grip strength and supine leg lifts and 30-s sit-to-stand actions. In terms of cardiopulmonary function and glycolipid metabolism, the patients in the training groups had better lung capacity and high-density lipoprotein.

CONCLUSION

The low-load and low-intensity resistance training may effectively improve not only the muscle strength of the bedridden older adults, but also the lung function and blood lipid metabolism.

Effects of Manual Therapies and Resistance Exercise on Postexercise Hypotension in Women With Normal Blood Pressure

ABSTRACT

Monteiro, ER, Pescatello, LS, Winchester, JB, Corrêa Neto, VG, Brown, AF, Budde, H, Marchetti, PH, Silva, JG, Vianna, JM, and Novaes, JdS. Effects of manual therapies and resistance exercise on postexercise hypotension in women with normal blood pressure. J Strength Cond Res 36(4): 948-954, 2022-The purpose of this investigation was to examine the acute effects of resistance exercise (RE) and different manual therapies (static stretching and manual massage [MM]) performed separately or combined on blood pressure (BP) responses during recovery in women with normal BP. Sixteen recreationally strength-trained women (age: 25.1 ± 2.9 years; height: 158.9 ± 4.1 cm; body mass: 59.5 ± 4.9 kg; body mass index: 23.5 ± 1.9 kg·m-2; baseline systolic BP median: 128 mm Hg; and baseline diastolic BP median: 78 mm Hg) were recruited. All subjects performed 6 experiments in a randomized order: (a) rest control (CON), (b) RE only (RE), (c) static-stretching exercise only (SS), (d) MM only, (e) RE immediately followed by SS (RE + SS), and (f) RE immediately followed by MM (RE + MM). RE consisted of 3 sets of bilateral bench press, back squat, front pull-down, and leg press exercises at 80% of 10RM. Static stretching and MM were applied unilaterally in 2 sets of 120 seconds to each of the quadriceps, hamstring, and calf regions. Systolic (SBP) and diastolic BP were measured before (rest) and every 10 minutes for 60 minutes following (Post 10-60) each intervention. There were significant intragroup differences for RE in Post-50 (p = 0.038; d = -2.24; ∆ = -4.0 mm Hg). Similarly, SBP intragroup differences were found for the SS protocol in Post-50 (p = 0.021; d = -2.67; ∆ = -5.0 mm Hg) and Post-60 (p = 0.008; d = -2.88; ∆ = -5.0 mm Hg). Still, SBP intragroup differences were found for the MM protocol in Post-50 (p = 0.011; d = -2.61; ∆ = -4.0 mm Hg) and Post-60 (p = 0.011; d = -2.74; ∆ = -4.0 mm Hg). Finally, a single SBP intragroup difference was found for the RE + SS protocol in Post-60 (p = 0.024; d = -3.12; ∆ = -5.0 mm Hg). Practitioners should be aware that SS and MM have the potential to influence BP responses in addition to RE or by themselves and therefore should be taken into consideration for persons who are hypertensive or hypotensive.

Is relaxation exercise therapy effective in the management of patients with severe arterial hypertension?

Arterial hypertension (AH) is a burning problem in the world. Antihypertensive pharmacological therapy combined by physical exercises is well-studied in patients with mild and moderate AH. However, studies that have investigated relaxation in patients with severe AH in addition to drug therapy are lacking. Optimization of a comprehensive treatment for patients with severe AH, by using a multicomponent rational antihypertensive pharmacotherapy (PT) with subsequent application of relaxation exercise therapy (RET). The study involved 32 male patients with severe AH. Initially, clinical-instrumental and laboratory examination, blood pressure registration and daily arterial blood pressure monitoring were carried out. Suitable PT was selected for all the patients. 3 months after starting PT the patients were divided in 2 groups. The patients of the 1st group were prescribed RET in addition to PT. The 2nd group of patients continued receiving PT alone. 3 months later, average daily blood pressure (ADBP)-syst and ADBP-diast were compared in both groups. Three months after PT both groups demonstrated a significant decrease in ADBP-syst and ADBP diast, but these indicators remained higher than normal and did not reach the target level. Three months after the inclusion of RET in the comprehensive treatment, the 1st group demonstrated a significant decrease in ADBP (systolic and diastolic), not only in comparison with the initial data, but also with the data observed three months after PT. After 6 months, ADBP-syst and ADBP-diast in the 1st group were significantly lower compared with those of patients in the 2nd group. The inclusion of RET in addition to a multicomponent antihypertensive PT is a promising treatment option for severe AH.