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Effects of Swimming Training on Blood Pressure and Vascular Function in Adults >50 Years of Age

2012; Elsevier BV; Volume: 109; Issue: 7 Linguagem: Inglês

10.1016/j.amjcard.2011.11.029

1879-1913

Nantinee Nualnim, Kristin L. Parkhurst, Mandeep Dhindsa, Takashi Tarumi, Jackie Vavrek, Hirofumi Tanaka,

Cardiovascular and exercise physiology

Swimming is ideal for older adults because it includes minimum weight-bearing stress and decreased heat load. However, there is very little information available concerning the effects of regular swimming exercise on vascular risks. We determined if regular swimming exercise would decrease arterial blood pressure (BP) and improve vascular function. Forty-three otherwise healthy adults >50 years old (60 ± 2) with prehypertension or stage 1 hypertension and not on any medication were randomly assigned to 12 weeks of swimming exercise or attention time controls. Before the intervention period there were no significant differences in any of the variables between groups. Body mass, adiposity, and plasma concentrations of glucose and cholesterol did not change in either group throughout the intervention period. Casual systolic BP decreased significantly from 131 ± 3 to 122 ± 4 mm Hg in the swimming training group. Significant decreases in systolic BP were also observed in ambulatory (daytime) and central (carotid) BP measurements. Swimming exercise produced a 21% increase in carotid artery compliance (p <0.05). Flow-mediated dilation and cardiovagal baroreflex sensitivity improved after the swim training program (p 50 years old (60 ± 2) with prehypertension or stage 1 hypertension and not on any medication were randomly assigned to 12 weeks of swimming exercise or attention time controls. Before the intervention period there were no significant differences in any of the variables between groups. Body mass, adiposity, and plasma concentrations of glucose and cholesterol did not change in either group throughout the intervention period. Casual systolic BP decreased significantly from 131 ± 3 to 122 ± 4 mm Hg in the swimming training group. Significant decreases in systolic BP were also observed in ambulatory (daytime) and central (carotid) BP measurements. Swimming exercise produced a 21% increase in carotid artery compliance (p <0.05). Flow-mediated dilation and cardiovagal baroreflex sensitivity improved after the swim training program (p <0.05). There were no significant changes in any measurements in the control group that performed gentle relaxation exercises. In conclusion, swimming exercise elicits hypotensive effects and improvements in vascular function in previously sedentary older adults. Is Swimming an Alternative to Land-Based Exercise to Prevent Arterial Stiffness?American Journal of CardiologyVol. 112Issue 2PreviewSwimming exercise is recommended as a modality of aerobic exercise by worldwide organizations, although a relative paucity of studies has described the effects of swimming on vascular risk factors in healthy populations.1 Recently, Nualnim et al2 reported increased carotid artery compliance after a 3-month swimming training intervention in previously sedentary older adults. Previously, the same team had provided evidence for higher carotid compliance in swimmers and runners trained long term compared with sedentary older adults. Full-Text PDF