Combined resistance and aerobic training performed either twice or four times per week led to similar significant reductions in 24-hour and daytime systolic blood pressure variability (p<0.05).
RCT (n=47)
1:1
Does combined training four times per week compared to twice per week improve short-term blood pressure variability in older adults with hypertension?
A 12-week combined training program led to similar reductions in short-term blood pressure variability in older adults with hypertension, regardless of whether it was performed twice or four times per week.
Abstract Background Elevated blood pressure variability (BPV) is associated with cardiovascular mortality, regardless of mean blood pressure levels (1). Studies investigating the impact of exercise training on short-term BPV are scarce (2) and no studies have compared the effects of different weekly training frequencies of exercise on BPV. Purpose To analyze the effects of a combined resistance and aerobic training intervention performed either twice or four times per week on short-term BPV in older individuals with arterial hypertension. Methods In this randomized clinical trial, older adults with hypertension were randomized (1:1 ratio) to perform the combined training twice a week (CT-2) or four times per week (CT-4). Participants were men and women with a prior diagnosis of arterial hypertension and undergoing pharmacological treatment. The combined training intervention was conducted over 12 weeks, in which participants of CT-2 and CT-4 performed the same total training volume (120 to 160 minutes per week of training) in a similar internal load (4–6 of CR-10 Borg scale). Short-term BP variability was assessed using average real variability and standard deviation for 24-hour, daytime, and nighttime periods. BPV was assessed using ambulatory blood pressure monitoring and calculated using two methods: standard deviation (SD) and average real variability (ARV). The SD of BP measurements was calculated for each participant and reported separately for the 24-hour, daytime, and nighttime periods. The ARV index, weighted for the time intervals between consecutive readings, was also calculated across the same periods. Differences between the CT-4 and CT-2 groups, as well as baseline-to-final changes within each group, and the group*time interaction were analyzed using a generalized estimating equation (GEE) model. Pairwise comparisons were assessed using the sequential Bonferroni test. Statistical significance was defined as a two-sided P value 0.05. Results Twenty participants in the CT-4 group (65±6 yr) and 27 in the CT-2 group (63±8 yr) were included in the final analysis. Attendance rates across the 12-week combined training intervention were similar between groups (P = 0.468), with values of 94.9 ± 5.1% in CT-2 and 93.6 ± 7.3% in CT-4. Table 1 presents the BPV results. No significant group*time interaction was observed for systolic or diastolic ambulatory BP variability, regardless of the index adopted. There were no baseline differences between the CT-4 and CT-2 groups (P 0.05 for all baseline comparisons). Significant reductions in 24-hour and daytime systolic BP variability were observed in CT-4 and CT-2 (p0.05). Conclusion A 12-week combined training program distributed in different weekly frequencies led to similar reductions in short-term BPV of older adults with arterial hypertension.Table 1For image description, please refer to the figure legend and surrounding text.
Ferrari et al. (Mon,) conducted a rct in arterial hypertension (n=47). Combined resistance and aerobic training four times per week vs. Combined resistance and aerobic training twice a week was evaluated on Short-term blood pressure variability (systolic and diastolic). Combined resistance and aerobic training performed either twice or four times per week led to similar significant reductions in 24-hour and daytime systolic blood pressure variability (p<0.05).