INTRODUCTION:
The number of overweight people or obesity has reached alarming levels in Brazil. Nonmedicamentous conducts should be the initial strategy for the treatment of individuals with overweight and light to moderate hypertension.
OBJECTIVE:
To analyze the effects of a physical training program for a period of 24 months on body composition and blood pressure in normotensive and prehypertensive individuals.
METHODS:
The study included 35 subjects randomized: (GI) normotensive (n = 16), 51 ± 1 years, systolic blood pressure (SBP) <120 and diastolic (DBP) <80 mmHg, and (GII) pre-hypertensive (n = 19), 54 ± 1 years, SBP 139 and DBP 89 mmHg.
RESULTS:
After 24 months of a physical training program,the individuals from GII showed a reduction in SBP (-3,6 ± 0,94 e -10 ± 0,94 mmHg, p <0.05, respectively) and DBP (-6.5 -7.1 ± 1 and ± 0.9 mmHg, p <0 05). In both groups there was a reduction in waist circumference (-1.74 ± 3.5 and -1.91 ± 4 cm, p <0.05) and adiposity index (-1.21 ± 2.6 and -1 , 35 ± 3.1%, p <0.05) increase in body mass (+1.27 and +1.32 ± 3 ± 3.8 kg, p <0.05), BMI (+0.72 ± 0.4 and +0.54 ± 0.60 kg/m2, p <0.05) and fat-free body mass (+0.91 ± 0.5 and +0.77 ± 4.8 kg p <0.05).
CONCLUSION:
This program reduced BP, waist circumference and adiposity index in hypertensive individuals, thus constituting, in a safe and cost-effective strategy in the prevention of cardiovascular disease and improving the health status of the population.
physical conditioning; adipose tissue; hypertension