This study aimed at analysing cardiocirculatory effects (on blood pressure, BP, and heart rate, HR) of a hydrotherapy program of which the purpose was to increase muscle force and flexibility of 16 sedentary, healthy, 65-to-70 year-old women. The program consisted of 32 1-hour sessions of strength and flexibility training exercises, with increasing degree of difficulty in seven phases. The first four sessions were used for adaptation to the aquatic environment and the respective data were not considered. BP and HR were monitored at the end of each phase in four different moments: at rest before diving, at rest 3 minutes after immersion, still immerged at the end of exercises, and at rest, 3 minutes after exiting the pool. Collected measures were statistically analysed, and significance level set at p<0.05. Results show significant mean at-rest systolic BP decrease of 5.6 mmHg, and mean at-rest diastolic BP decrease of 9.7 mmHg, from the 5th (base) session to the 32nd (last) session; participants' BP classification turned from threshold-normal to normal, according to the Brazilian Hypertension Society. Also found was a non-significant 1.0-bpm increase in mean HR. Findings suggest that, though HR has not been affected, aquatic strength and flexibility exercises with increasing difficulty do not overload - and may positively affect - cardiocirculatory system in healthy women aged 65 to 70 years old.
Aging; Blood pressure; Heart rate; Hydrotherapy; Women
