Effect of heated water-based versus land-based exercise training on hemodynamic variables, functional capacity and quality of life in older hypertensive individuals

Abstract

The regular practice of physical exercise is one of the main global goals of innumerous health and medical societies for preventing and managing noncommunicable chronic diseases (NCDs). Physical exercise is an important nonpharmacological therapy for hypertensive patients, and heated water-based exercise (HEx) emerged as a potential alternative for blood pressure (BP) reduction in hypertensive patients. However, little is known about its chronic effect on BP, as well as hemodynamic variables, functional capacity and quality of life in older hypertensive individuals. PURPOSE: To assess the effect of HEx versus land-based exercise (LEx) training on BP, arterial stiffness, endothelial function, heart rate variability, functional capacity and quality of life of older hypertensive patients. METHODS: 60 older hypertensive individuals (age > 60 years), of both sex, will be randomized in 2:2:1 ratio to 12 weeks of HEx program, LEX program or nonexercise follow-up (CON), respectively. The exercise programs will be stopped after 12 weeks, and all individuals will be followed for other 12 weeks. Subjects will have their physical capacity (cardiorespiratory fitness and muscle strength), hemodynamic variables (resting and ambulatory BP, arterial stiffness, endothelial function and cardiovascular response to exercise), cardiac autonomic function (heart rate variability), functional capacity (walking, sit-to-stand from a chair and agility capacity), and quality of life assessed before, and after 12 and 24 weeks of follow-up. HEx and LEx feasibility will also be assessed during the first 12 weeks of follow-up. Both HEx and LEx sessions will be performed thrice-weekly (60 min per session), and will consist of warm-up (5 min), aerobic exercise (30 min), resistance exercise (20 min) and cool-down. (AU)