Acessibilidade / Reportar erro

Kinetics of Hypotension during 50 Sessions of Resistance and Aerobic Training in Hypertensive Patients: a Randomized Clinical Trial

Abstract

Background:

Resistance and aerobic training are recommended as an adjunctive treatment for hypertension. However, the number of sessions required until the hypotensive effect of the exercise has stabilized has not been clearly established.

Objective:

To establish the adaptive kinetics of the blood pressure (BP) responses as a function of time and type of training in hypertensive patients.

Methods:

We recruited 69 patients with a mean age of 63.4 ± 2.1 years, randomized into one group of resistance training (n = 32) and another of aerobic training (n = 32). Anthropometric measurements were obtained, and one repetition maximum (1RM) testing was performed. BP was measured before each training session with a digital BP arm monitor. The 50 training sessions were categorized into quintiles. To compare the effect of BP reduction with both training methods, we used two-way analysis of covariance (ANCOVA) adjusted for the BP values obtained before the interventions. The differences between the moments were established by one-way analysis of variance (ANOVA).

Results:

The reductions in systolic (SBP) and diastolic BP (DBP) were 6.9 mmHg and 5.3 mmHg, respectively, with resistance training and 16.5 mmHg and 11.6 mmHg, respectively, with aerobic training. The kinetics of the hypotensive response of the SBP showed significant reductions until the 20th session in both groups. Stabilization of the DBP occurred in the 20th session of resistance training and in the 10th session of aerobic training.

Conclusion:

A total of 20 sessions of resistance or aerobic training are required to achieve the maximum benefits of BP reduction. The methods investigated yielded distinct adaptive kinetic patterns along the 50 sessions.

Keywords:
Hypertension; Kinetics; Exercise; Exercise Movement Techniques; Clinical Trial

Resumo

Fundamento:

Os treinamentos de força e aeróbio são indicados para o tratamento adjuvante da hipertensão. Entretanto, o número de sessões necessárias até estabilização do efeito hipotensor com o exercício ainda não está claramente estabelecido.

Objetivo:

Estabelecer a cinética adaptativa das respostas tensionais em função do tempo e do tipo de treinamento em hipertensos.

Métodos:

Foram recrutados 69 hipertensos com idade média de 63,4 ± 2,1 anos, randomizados em um grupo de treinamento de força (n = 32) e outro de treinamento aeróbio (n = 32). Foram realizadas medidas antropométricas e testes de uma repetição máxima (1RM). A pressão arterial (PA) foi medida antes de cada sessão de treinamento com um aparelho de pressão digital de braço. As 50 sessões de treinamento foram categorizadas em quintis. Para comparar o efeito da redução da PA entre os métodos de treinamentos (between), utilizamos análise de covariância (ANCOVA) bifatorial ajustada para os valores de PA pré-intervenção. As diferenças entre os momentos foram estabelecidas por análise de variância (ANOVA) unifatorial.

Resultados:

As reduções na PA sistólica (PAS) e diastólica (PAD) foram de 6,9 mmHg e 5,3 mmHg, respectivamente, com o treinamento de força e 16,5 mmHg e 11,6 mmHg, respectivamente, com o treinamento aeróbio. A cinética hipotensiva da PAS apresentou reduções significativas até a 20ª sessão em ambos os grupos. Observou-se estabilização da PAD na 20ª sessão com o treinamento de força e na 10ª sessão com o aeróbio.

Conclusão:

São necessárias 20 sessões de treinamento de força ou aeróbio para alcance dos benefícios máximos de redução da PA. Os métodos investigados proporcionaram padrões cinéticos adaptativos distintos ao longo das 50 sessões.

Palavras-chave:
Hipertensão; Cinética; Exercício; Técnicas de Exercício e de Movimento; Ensaio Clínico

Introduction

The practice of physical exercise is the most used strategy for nonpharmacological treatment of hypertension.11 Mediano MF, Paravidino V, Simão R, Pontes FL, Polito MD. Comportamento subagudo da pressão arterial após o treinamento de força em hipertensos controlados. Rev Bras Med Esporte. 2005;11(6):337-40.,22 Canuto PM, Nogueira ID, Cunha ES, Ferreira GM, Mendonça KM, Costa FA, et al. Influência do treinamento resistido realizado em intensidades diferentes e mesmo volume de trabalho sobre a pressão arterial de idosas hipertensas. Rev Bras Med Esporte. 2011;17(4):246-9. Aerobic stimuli between 40-60% of the maximum oxygen consumption (VO2max) are recommended two to three times a week during sessions of 30 to 60 minutes, performed in association with resistance training using multiarticular exercises with at least one series of 8-12 repetitions for 30 to 60 minutes.33 ACSM. Guidelines for exercise testing and prescription. 9th ed. Philadelphia: Lippincott Williams & Wilkins; 2014.

Reductions of 6.9 mmHg in the systolic BP (SBP) and 4.9 mmHg in the diastolic BP (DBP) during rest have been reported as a result of adaptations enabled by aerobic training.44 Whelton SP, Chin A, Xin X, He J. Effect of aerobic exercise on blood pressure: a meta-analysis of randomized, controlled trials. Ann Intern Med. 2002;136(7):493-503. Although aerobic training is the most established strategy among the methods of physical training for hypertensive individuals, other methods have been shown to be effective in reducing BP levels, such as resistance dynamic,55 Queiroz AC, Kanegusuku H, Forjaz CL. Effects of resistance training on blood pressure in the elderly. Arq Bras Cardiol. 2010;95(1):135-40. isometric,66 Owen A, Wiles J, Swaine I. Effect of isometric exercise on resting blood pressure: a meta analysis. J Hum Hypertens. 2010;24(12):796-800. combined (aerobic and resistance),77 Carvalho PR, Barros GW, Melo TT, Santos PG, Oliveira GT, D'Amorim IR. Efeito dos treinamentos aeróbio, resistido e concorrente na pressão arterial e morfologia de idosos normotensos e hipertensos. Rev Bras Ativ Fis e Saúde. 2013;18(3):363-70. and high-intensity interval training.88 Lamina S. Effects of continuous and interval training programs in the management of hypertension: a randomized controlled trial. J Clin Hypertens (Greenwich). 2010;12(11):841-9.

Studies with resistance training as the only nonpharmacological strategy to treat hypertension have demonstrated BP reductions between 2 and 12 mmHg.99 Cardoso CG, Jr., Gomides RS, Queiroz AC, Pinto LG, da Silveira Lobo F, Tinucci T, et al. Acute and chronic effects of aerobic and resistance exercise on ambulatory blood pressure. Clinics (Sao Paulo). 2010;65(3):317-25.,1010 Stensvold D, Tjonna AE, Skaug EA, Aspenes S, Stolen T, Wisloff U, et al. Strength training versus aerobic interval training to modify risk factors of metabolic syndrome. J Appl Physiol (1985). 2010;108(4):804-10. Even after interruption, the effects of training persist for up to 4 weeks.1111 Nascimento Dda C, Tibana RA, Benik FM, Fontana KE, Ribeiro Neto F, Santana FS, et al. Sustained effect of resistance training on blood pressure and hand grip strength following a detraining period in elderly hypertensive women: a pilot study. Clin Interv Aging. 2014;9:219-25.

To the best of our knowledge, available studies directly comparing different training methods, such as aerobic versus resistance training,1212 Blumenthal JA, Siegel WC, Appelbaum M. Failure of exercise to reduce blood pressure in patients with mild hypertension. Results of a randomized controlled trial. JAMA. 1991;266(15):2098-104.,1313 Cononie CC, Graves JE, Pollock ML, Phillips MI, Sumners C, Hagberg JM. Effect of exercise training on blood pressure in 70- to 79-yr-old men and women. Med Sci Sports Exerc. 1991;23(4):505-11. have not identified the number of sessions required until stabilization of the hypotensive effect of the exercise in hypertensive patients. More precisely, it is important to clarify how many sessions are necessary to ensure that the training programs provide the maximum possible benefits. This outcome has not been investigated with priority, and the results regarding the number of sessions are still inconclusive in the literature (between 12 to 48 sessions),1414 Alves LL, Forjaz CL. Influence of aerobic training intensity and volume on blood pressure reduction in hypertensives. R bras Ci e Mov. 2007;15(3):115-22. hindering the interpretation of the adjustments provided by different methods of training and the consequent decision for the best treatment strategy.1515 Laterza MC, de Matos LD, Trombetta IC, Braga AM, Roveda F, Alves MJ, et al. Exercise training restores baroreflex sensitivity in never-treated hypertensive patients. Hypertension. 2007;49(6):1298-306.

Thus, the objective of this study was to establish the adaptive kinetics of the BP responses as a function of time and type of training (resistance or aerobic) in individuals classified with stage 1 hypertension.

METHOD

Experimental design

Clinical trial with two parallel groups conducted according to the CONSORT recommendations, but without registration. Eligible subjects were randomized into two independent training groups: resistance and aerobic. On the first visit, the subjects received instructions regarding the procedures of the study, had their questions answered, and signed a free and informed consent form (ICF). On the second visit, anthropometric and BP measurements were obtained. On the third visit, one repetition maximum (1RM) testing was performed in the resistance group, and recommendations regarding the prescription of training were delivered in the aerobic group. On the fourth visit, adaptations of the participants to their respective training methods were made. From the fifth visit onwards, the training protocols were carried out in both groups.

Subject

We recruited for the study 20 men and 49 women, whose characteristics are described in Table 1. All subjects participated voluntarily after being contacted through invitations and reports on the practice of physical activity for hypertensive patients, distributed on the campus of the Universidade Federal de Pernambuco. All participants used medication for BP control (Table 2). The research was approved by the Ethics Committee at Centro de Ciências da Saúde at Universidade Federal de Pernambuco (case 321/11).

Table 1
General characteristics of the investigated subjects before training
Table 2
Frequency and percentage of medications used by the participants

As the inclusion criteria, the subjects should have stage 1 hypertension, use controlled medications, and be older than 60 years. On the first visit, we measured the participants' BP at rest, which was considered as the initial reference (moment 0) and was used to classify the subjects regarding their hypertension level.1616 Chobanian AV, Bakris GL, Black HR, Cushman WC, Green LA, Izzo JL Jr, et al; Joint National Committee on Prevention, Detection, Evaluation, and Treatment of High Blood Pressure. National Heart, Lung, and Blood Institute.; National High Blood Pressure Education Program Coordinating Committee. Seventh report of the Joint National Committee on Prevention, Detection, Evaluation, and Treatment of High Blood Pressure. Hypertension. 2003;42(6):1206-52.

We excluded subjects using beta-blockers, since this type of medication changes the individual's cardiovascular responses, hindering the interpretation of the data and the use of the heart rate to prescribe training.1717 Wonisch M, Hofmann P, Fruhwald FM, Kraxner W, Hodl R, Pokan R, et al. Influence of beta-blocker use on percentage of target heart rate exercise prescription. Eur J Cardiovasc Prev Rehabil. 2003;10(4):296-301. We also excluded participants who had any other disease affecting cardiovascular responses to physical exercise, or with joint limitations resulting in functional limitations. Figure 1 shows the flowchart of the subjects throughout the study.

Figure 1
Flow diagram of the randomization of the subjects.

For randomization, we used a digital tool available at www.randomizer.org. The eligible subjects were listed numerically in order of arrival by one of the researchers without access to any of the evaluations. A second researcher was blindly responsible for the allocation of the participants to each group.

Procedures

Anthropometric assessments and weight indices

We measured the participants' body mass (kg), height (cm), and waist and hip circunferences (cm). Body mass was measured using a portable scale accurate to 0.1 kg (PL 200, Filizola S.A., São Paulo, Brazil). The height was measured with a stadiometer accurate to 0.1 cm (Professional Stadiometer Sanny, São Paulo, Brazil). The waist circumference was measured at the narrowest level between the rib margin and the iliac crest using a non-flexible anthropometric tape precise to 0.1 mm (SN-4010, Sanny, São Paulo, Brazil). The hip circumference was measured at the level of the pubic symphysis using the same tape. We then calculated the subjects' body mass index (BMI = body weight ÷ height22 Canuto PM, Nogueira ID, Cunha ES, Ferreira GM, Mendonça KM, Costa FA, et al. Influência do treinamento resistido realizado em intensidades diferentes e mesmo volume de trabalho sobre a pressão arterial de idosas hipertensas. Rev Bras Med Esporte. 2011;17(4):246-9.), their waist/hip ratio (WHR = waist circumference ÷ hip circumference), and their conicity index [CI = (circumference of the abdomen ÷ 0.169) x √(body weight ÷ height)].1818 Norton K, Olds T, Australian Sports Commission; 1996. Anthropometrica: a textbook of body measurement for sports and health courses. Sydney (Australia): UNSW Press; 1996.

Blood pressure measurement

The BP was measured at rest in the left superior limb according to recommendation by the American Heart Association, using a digital BP monitor (Digital Omron BP Monitor, Model 11 EM403c, Tokyo, Japan). Considered as the primary outcome in the present study, the BP was monitored before each training session, and the last measurement was performed 48 h after the 50th session. The subjects were instructed to not drink alcohol and/or caffeine for 24 h before the measurements. For each measurement, the subjects rested for 15 min in the sitting position with their feet supported and kept their arm at the heart level.

One repetition maximum testing

The 1RM test was performed according to the protocol of the American College of Sports Medicine.33 ACSM. Guidelines for exercise testing and prescription. 9th ed. Philadelphia: Lippincott Williams & Wilkins; 2014. For that, the subjects performed warm-up exercises with 10 repetitions with a light load. After 5 min, the 1RM load testing was carried out, in which each subject performed at the most five attempts of each exercise with an interval of 5 min between each one, in which the largest lifted load was the load selected.

Resistance training protocol

The resistance training sessions were carried out on exercise equipment (Technogym, Cesena, Italy). The subjects performed a program of resistance training alternated by segment, with two types of series (A and B), alternated by session (48 h). The order of the exercises was: A series - vertical bench press, seated leg curl, triceps cable curl, seated leg abduction, shoulder lift, plantar flexion, and upper abdominal; B series - frontal cable pull, leg press, shoulder abduction, leg extension, biceps curl, seated leg adduction, and lower abdominal. The training program was performed three times a week, with three sets of 12 repetitions at 50-70% of the maximum load and adjusted throughout the program for the achievement of a perceived exertion (Borg) classified as moderate. A 1 min recovery between each series and exercises was administered.

Aerobic training protocol

The sessions of aerobic training consisted of walking on track three times a week for 30 min, maintaining the heart rate between 40-60% of the predicted maximum rate for age.1919 Gellish RL, Goslin BR, Olson RE, McDonald A, Russi GD, Moudgil VK. Longitudinal modeling of the relationship between age and maximal heart rate. Med Sci Sports Exerc. 2007;39(5):822-9. The intensity was adjusted over the course of the sessions based on the participant's subjective perception of effort, aiming to reach a moderate intensity. All training sessions were supervised.

Statistical analysis

Quantitative variables are presented as mean ± standard deviation. Categorical variables are presented by their absolute and relative frequencies. The 50 training sessions were divided into quintiles, yielding five comparative moments (sessions 1-10, 11-20, 21-30, 31-40, 41-50). The BP result at each quintile represents the average of 10 sessions grouped for each variable investigated (SBP and DBP) measured before each training session. The pretreatment measurement of the dependent variables was used as a covariate to control the initial differences between the groups. Given the possibility of sampling mortality, the analyses conducted were not based on an "intention to treat". After verifying the conceptual assumptions, to compare the effect of the methods of resistance and aerobic training on the SBP and DBP measurements, we used two-way analysis of covariance (ANCOVA; training method x moment) with repeated measures for the second factor.

The identification of the differences between the investigated moments for each training method was established with one-way analysis of variance (ANOVA) with repeated measures. For both analyses, we used the post hoc Bonferroni test, when necessary. The analyses were performed using GraphPad Prism, v. 5.0 (GraphPad Software, San Diego, USA), with a significance level set at p < 0.05.

Results

We performed preliminary verifications to ensure that there was no violation of the assumptions of normality, linearity, variance homogeneity, regression slope homogeneity, and reliable covariate measurement. Figure 2 shows a comparison of the BP along the 50 sessions of resistance and aerobic training, and Table 3 highlights the differences (Δ) observed and their respective confidence intervals. ANCOVA indicated a significant interaction between the training methods in regards to the SBP (F [4, 29] = 3.431, p = 0.021), with a small eta squared effect size (η2 = 0.321). The analysis of the main effects showed no significant differences between the training methods in terms of SBP (p = 0.690); however, the results suggested that the SBP responded with different reductions in both groups.

Figure 2
Responses in systolic and diastolic blood pressure at rest obtained before the exercise sessions in the resistance and aerobic groups. BP: Blood Pressure.

Table 3
Difference (Δ), standard deviation, and confidence intervals of the hypotensive responses of the systolic blood pressure (SBP) and diastolic blood pressure (DBP) at five different moments in the resistance and aerobic groups

The interaction between the training methods in regards to the DBP showed an absence of statistically significant results (F [4, 29] = 1.835, p = 0.149), with a small effect size (η2 = 0.202). In the analysis of the main effects in the DBP (p = 0.091), the groups responded in a similar manner.

The identification of the moments of BP stabilization as a result of the training strategies is presented in Table 4 for the SBP and in Table 5 for the DBP. The stabilization of the reductions in the SBP was observed in the 20th session for both methods. For the DBP, the reductions were significant until the 20th session of resistance training and up to the 10th session of aerobic training.

Table 4
Indicator matrix of statistical significance of one-way analysis of variance (ANOVA) (within) with post hoc Bonferroni for systolic blood pressure comparisons at different moments
Table 5
Indicator matrix of statistical significance of one-way analysis of variance (ANOVA) (within) with post hoc Bonferroni for diastolic blood pressure (DBP) comparison at different moments

Discussion

The present study demonstrated that resistance training was able to reduce the SBP in 6.9 ± 2.8 mmHg and the DBP in 5.3 ± 1.9 mm Hg, while aerobic training showed reductions of 16.5 ± 3.4 mmHg in SBP and 11.6 ± 3.6 mmHg in DBP. The interaction between the methods investigated indicates apparently higher hypotensive effects with aerobic training when compared with resistance training. However, the comparison of the mean standardized reductions between the methods by the analysis of the η2 showed a small magnitude for both strategies. In the temporal analysis of the training methods, we observed that the kinetics of the hypotensive response of the SBP showed significant reductions until the 20th session in both groups. After that, there was a plateau in the adaptations yielded by resistance training. This is a novel information that should be considered in therapeutic decisions using exercise as an adjuvant in BP treatment.

Even though a statistically significant difference occurred after the 40th session, a regression of the SBP to mean values close to those of the 10th session seems to have occurred. The mechanisms underlying such adaptation could not be identified. Future studies should investigate the hypothesis of the increased arterial stiffness generated by resistance training, as suggested by Okamoto et al.2020 Okamoto T, Masuhara M, Ikuta K. Effects of eccentric and concentric resistance training on arterial stiffness. J Hum Hypertens. 2006;20(5):348-54. In addition, aerobic training maintained nonsignificant reductions until the 50th session, which may clinically represent some treatment benefit, especially in patients within the classification limit of a given category (borderline), since an SBP reduction of 10 mmHg reduces the mortality risk by 13%.2121 Ettehad D, Emdin CA, Kiran A, Anderson SG, Callender T, Emberson J, et al. Blood pressure lowering for prevention of cardiovascular disease and death: a systematic review and meta-analysis. Lancet. 2016;387(10022):957-67.

In a similar way, we observed that resistance training yielded a significant DBP reduction until the 20th session, while with aerobic training the stabilization occurred after the 10th session. Together, these results provide a better understanding of the adaptive behavior of the SBP and DBP as a result of the investigated training methods, since they provided different kinetic responses.

The physiological mechanisms explaining the BP reductions after physical exercise are, on the one hand, due to a decrease in cardiac output following a reduction in the systolic volume and heart rate and a decrease in the sympathetic tone2222 Forjaz CL, Rondon MUPB, Negrão CE. Efeitos hipotensores e simpatolíticos do exercício aeróbio na hipertensão arterial. Rev Bras Hipertens. 2005;12(4):245-50. and, on the other hand, due to an increase in the baroreflex sensitivity and control, associated with a peripheral local action, mediated mainly by nitric oxide released in the endothelium as a result of stress generated by physical exercise (shear stress).2323 Kingwell BA. Nitric oxide as a metabolic regulator during exercise: effects of training in health and disease. FASEB J. 2000;14(12):685-96. Together, these mechanisms trigger adaptations such as arterial vasodilation, generating a reduction in peripheral resistance and, consequently, in BP after physical exercise.2424 Polito MD, Farinatti PT. The effects of muscle mass and number of sets during resistance exercise on postexercise hypotension. J Strength Cond Res. 2009;23(8):2351-7. For example, Santana et al.2525 Santana HA, Moreira SR, Asano RY, Sales MM, Cordova C, Campbell CS, et al. Exercise intensity modulates nitric oxide and blood pressure responses in hypertensive older women. Aging Clin Exp Res. 2013;25(1):43-8. subjected hypertensive elderly women to aerobic exercise with one session at moderate intensity for 20 min and another session at high intensity for 20 min. Nitric oxide levels after the activity increased by 30% and 33%, respectively, and there was a significant reduction in BP with both interventions.

In a recent meta-analysis that investigated the effect of different exercise methods on the magnitude of the effect in reducing the BP, Cornelissen and Smart2626 Cornelissen VA, Smart NA. Exercise training for blood pressure: a systematic review and meta-analysis. J Am Heart Assoc. 2013;2(1):e004473. did not find differences in effect size between aerobic and resistance training, concluding that both training methods provide BP reductions of similar magnitude. Furthermore, the results reported by the authors presented larger reductions with aerobic training. Both aspects were similar to those found in the present study. In addition, the results of the present study add information to these findings, setting the kinetic standard of BP responses yielded by the two investigated training methods. Future studies should investigate other training strategies.

About the kinetics of BP stabilization, we identified only one study using resistance training,2727 Moraes MR, Bacurau RF, Casarini DE, Jara ZP, Ronchi FA, Almeida SS, et al. Chronic conventional resistance exercise reduces blood pressure in stage 1 hypertensive men. Journal of strength and conditioning research / National Strength & Conditioning Association. 2012;26(4):1122-9. in which the SBP stabilized at the 6th training session, while in our study we observed significant reductions until the 20th training session. For the DBP, the same study found that the stabilization occurred in the 30th session, while in our study it occurred in the 20th session. It is possible that the differences encountered are the result of the difference in data sampling, since the present study considered the training sessions grouped into quintiles. It is noteworthy that the protocols of resistance training in both studies were similar and were performed with moderate loads (between 50-70% of the 1RM load), with three sets of 12 repetitions.

Regarding aerobic training, Kokkinos et al.2828 Kokkinos PF, Narayan P, Colleran JA, Pittaras A, Notargiacomo A, Reda D, et al. Effects of regular exercise on blood pressure and left ventricular hypertrophy in African-American men with severe hypertension. N Engl J Med. 1995;333(22):1462-7. compared the BP responses after 48 and 96 training sessions to the initial BP values, observing a nonsignificant decrease of 1.0 ± 4.0 mmHg (p = 0.150), but with a substantial reduction in the use of medications. On the other hand, Seals and Reiling2929 Seals DR, Reiling MJ. Effect of regular exercise on 24-hour arterial pressure in older hypertensive humans. Hypertension. 1991;18(5):583-92. found BP reductions in elderly individuals after 72 sessions of aerobic training. Later, when 72 additional sessions of aerobic training were performed, there was an additional SBP reduction of 4.0 ± 4.0 mmHg (p < 0.05), but no DBP reductions. Jennings et al.3030 Jennings G, Deakin G, Korner P, Kingwell B, Nelson L. What is the dose-response relationship between exercise training and blood pressure. Ann Med. 1991;23(3):313-8. found a BP decrease at the 30th session of aerobic training, which corresponded to 75% of the hypotensive effect at the 60th session. This same proportion was found in the present study. Together, this evidence shows that the results of physical exercises on BP treatment in the long term seem to bring benefits only in the maintenance of the initial reductions and do not result in additional gains.

Although resistance training generates smaller reductions when compared with aerobic training,2626 Cornelissen VA, Smart NA. Exercise training for blood pressure: a systematic review and meta-analysis. J Am Heart Assoc. 2013;2(1):e004473. its recommendation is supported by the reduction in BP responses in daily life activities, since the improvement in resistance promotes a relative reduction in the intensity in which daily tasks are performed, with consequent mitigation of BP responses. Considering that, resistance training seems to be a relevant strategy for BP control and maintenance of functional aspects. One should also consider that, in the light of the available knowledge, the clinical effects of BP reduction by resistance training are similar to those observed with aerobic training.

Some limitations of the present study need to be highlighted. The study did not take into account the doses of the medications used by each subject, which may have influenced the responses observed. However, this approach presents greater external validity considering that the individuals exercising in centers of physical activity and exercise clinics do not interrupt the use of their medications to practice their physical activities. In addition, physical exercise is considered an adjuvant treatment and should be performed along with the use of medications, which should be frequently evaluated for possible adjustments. Another limitation was the lack of use of ambulatory BP monitoring, which enables a more reliable measurement by evaluating the BP levels for a longer period of time. And finally, the absence of a control group limits the conclusion that it was only the exercise that determined the BP decrease. However, prior evidence has established with certainty the benefits of an exercise group (aerobic and resistance) in relation to a control group,(2424 Polito MD, Farinatti PT. The effects of muscle mass and number of sets during resistance exercise on postexercise hypotension. J Strength Cond Res. 2009;23(8):2351-7.,2828 Kokkinos PF, Narayan P, Colleran JA, Pittaras A, Notargiacomo A, Reda D, et al. Effects of regular exercise on blood pressure and left ventricular hypertrophy in African-American men with severe hypertension. N Engl J Med. 1995;333(22):1462-7.) which would characterize as ethically questionable the decision to deprive a group of individuals from exercise treatment.

Conclusions

We observed that 20 sessions of resistance or aerobic training are necessary to achieve BP reductions resulting from physical exercise, and that the BP reductions respond differently over the course of 50 sessions. A mean reduction per session of 0.5 mmHg in the SBP for both training methods, and 0.2 to 0.3 mmHg in the DBP for resistance and aerobic training, respectively, can be expected up to the 20th training session. The addition of more training sessions seems to provide smaller BP reductions, but without statistical significance. Our results support the recommendation of the use of resistance training with benefits close to those of aerobic training in reducing the BP.

  • Sources of Funding
    This study was partially funded by Conselho Nacional de Desenvolvimento Científico e Tecnológico.
  • Study Association
    This study is not associated with any thesis or dissertation work.

References

  • 1
    Mediano MF, Paravidino V, Simão R, Pontes FL, Polito MD. Comportamento subagudo da pressão arterial após o treinamento de força em hipertensos controlados. Rev Bras Med Esporte. 2005;11(6):337-40.
  • 2
    Canuto PM, Nogueira ID, Cunha ES, Ferreira GM, Mendonça KM, Costa FA, et al. Influência do treinamento resistido realizado em intensidades diferentes e mesmo volume de trabalho sobre a pressão arterial de idosas hipertensas. Rev Bras Med Esporte. 2011;17(4):246-9.
  • 3
    ACSM. Guidelines for exercise testing and prescription. 9th ed. Philadelphia: Lippincott Williams & Wilkins; 2014.
  • 4
    Whelton SP, Chin A, Xin X, He J. Effect of aerobic exercise on blood pressure: a meta-analysis of randomized, controlled trials. Ann Intern Med. 2002;136(7):493-503.
  • 5
    Queiroz AC, Kanegusuku H, Forjaz CL. Effects of resistance training on blood pressure in the elderly. Arq Bras Cardiol. 2010;95(1):135-40.
  • 6
    Owen A, Wiles J, Swaine I. Effect of isometric exercise on resting blood pressure: a meta analysis. J Hum Hypertens. 2010;24(12):796-800.
  • 7
    Carvalho PR, Barros GW, Melo TT, Santos PG, Oliveira GT, D'Amorim IR. Efeito dos treinamentos aeróbio, resistido e concorrente na pressão arterial e morfologia de idosos normotensos e hipertensos. Rev Bras Ativ Fis e Saúde. 2013;18(3):363-70.
  • 8
    Lamina S. Effects of continuous and interval training programs in the management of hypertension: a randomized controlled trial. J Clin Hypertens (Greenwich). 2010;12(11):841-9.
  • 9
    Cardoso CG, Jr., Gomides RS, Queiroz AC, Pinto LG, da Silveira Lobo F, Tinucci T, et al. Acute and chronic effects of aerobic and resistance exercise on ambulatory blood pressure. Clinics (Sao Paulo). 2010;65(3):317-25.
  • 10
    Stensvold D, Tjonna AE, Skaug EA, Aspenes S, Stolen T, Wisloff U, et al. Strength training versus aerobic interval training to modify risk factors of metabolic syndrome. J Appl Physiol (1985). 2010;108(4):804-10.
  • 11
    Nascimento Dda C, Tibana RA, Benik FM, Fontana KE, Ribeiro Neto F, Santana FS, et al. Sustained effect of resistance training on blood pressure and hand grip strength following a detraining period in elderly hypertensive women: a pilot study. Clin Interv Aging. 2014;9:219-25.
  • 12
    Blumenthal JA, Siegel WC, Appelbaum M. Failure of exercise to reduce blood pressure in patients with mild hypertension. Results of a randomized controlled trial. JAMA. 1991;266(15):2098-104.
  • 13
    Cononie CC, Graves JE, Pollock ML, Phillips MI, Sumners C, Hagberg JM. Effect of exercise training on blood pressure in 70- to 79-yr-old men and women. Med Sci Sports Exerc. 1991;23(4):505-11.
  • 14
    Alves LL, Forjaz CL. Influence of aerobic training intensity and volume on blood pressure reduction in hypertensives. R bras Ci e Mov. 2007;15(3):115-22.
  • 15
    Laterza MC, de Matos LD, Trombetta IC, Braga AM, Roveda F, Alves MJ, et al. Exercise training restores baroreflex sensitivity in never-treated hypertensive patients. Hypertension. 2007;49(6):1298-306.
  • 16
    Chobanian AV, Bakris GL, Black HR, Cushman WC, Green LA, Izzo JL Jr, et al; Joint National Committee on Prevention, Detection, Evaluation, and Treatment of High Blood Pressure. National Heart, Lung, and Blood Institute.; National High Blood Pressure Education Program Coordinating Committee. Seventh report of the Joint National Committee on Prevention, Detection, Evaluation, and Treatment of High Blood Pressure. Hypertension. 2003;42(6):1206-52.
  • 17
    Wonisch M, Hofmann P, Fruhwald FM, Kraxner W, Hodl R, Pokan R, et al. Influence of beta-blocker use on percentage of target heart rate exercise prescription. Eur J Cardiovasc Prev Rehabil. 2003;10(4):296-301.
  • 18
    Norton K, Olds T, Australian Sports Commission; 1996. Anthropometrica: a textbook of body measurement for sports and health courses. Sydney (Australia): UNSW Press; 1996.
  • 19
    Gellish RL, Goslin BR, Olson RE, McDonald A, Russi GD, Moudgil VK. Longitudinal modeling of the relationship between age and maximal heart rate. Med Sci Sports Exerc. 2007;39(5):822-9.
  • 20
    Okamoto T, Masuhara M, Ikuta K. Effects of eccentric and concentric resistance training on arterial stiffness. J Hum Hypertens. 2006;20(5):348-54.
  • 21
    Ettehad D, Emdin CA, Kiran A, Anderson SG, Callender T, Emberson J, et al. Blood pressure lowering for prevention of cardiovascular disease and death: a systematic review and meta-analysis. Lancet. 2016;387(10022):957-67.
  • 22
    Forjaz CL, Rondon MUPB, Negrão CE. Efeitos hipotensores e simpatolíticos do exercício aeróbio na hipertensão arterial. Rev Bras Hipertens. 2005;12(4):245-50.
  • 23
    Kingwell BA. Nitric oxide as a metabolic regulator during exercise: effects of training in health and disease. FASEB J. 2000;14(12):685-96.
  • 24
    Polito MD, Farinatti PT. The effects of muscle mass and number of sets during resistance exercise on postexercise hypotension. J Strength Cond Res. 2009;23(8):2351-7.
  • 25
    Santana HA, Moreira SR, Asano RY, Sales MM, Cordova C, Campbell CS, et al. Exercise intensity modulates nitric oxide and blood pressure responses in hypertensive older women. Aging Clin Exp Res. 2013;25(1):43-8.
  • 26
    Cornelissen VA, Smart NA. Exercise training for blood pressure: a systematic review and meta-analysis. J Am Heart Assoc. 2013;2(1):e004473.
  • 27
    Moraes MR, Bacurau RF, Casarini DE, Jara ZP, Ronchi FA, Almeida SS, et al. Chronic conventional resistance exercise reduces blood pressure in stage 1 hypertensive men. Journal of strength and conditioning research / National Strength & Conditioning Association. 2012;26(4):1122-9.
  • 28
    Kokkinos PF, Narayan P, Colleran JA, Pittaras A, Notargiacomo A, Reda D, et al. Effects of regular exercise on blood pressure and left ventricular hypertrophy in African-American men with severe hypertension. N Engl J Med. 1995;333(22):1462-7.
  • 29
    Seals DR, Reiling MJ. Effect of regular exercise on 24-hour arterial pressure in older hypertensive humans. Hypertension. 1991;18(5):583-92.
  • 30
    Jennings G, Deakin G, Korner P, Kingwell B, Nelson L. What is the dose-response relationship between exercise training and blood pressure. Ann Med. 1991;23(3):313-8.

Publication Dates

  • Publication in this collection
    30 Mar 2017
  • Date of issue
    Apr 2017

History

  • Received
    08 Apr 2016
  • Reviewed
    13 Sept 2016
  • Accepted
    11 Oct 2016
Sociedade Brasileira de Cardiologia - SBC Avenida Marechal Câmara, 160, sala: 330, Centro, CEP: 20020-907, (21) 3478-2700 - Rio de Janeiro - RJ - Brazil, Fax: +55 21 3478-2770 - São Paulo - SP - Brazil
E-mail: revista@cardiol.br