Effects of arm swing exercise training on cardiac autonomic modulation, cardiovascular risk factors, and electrolytes in persons aged 60-80 years with prehypertension: A randomized controlled trial.

PURPOSE

This study aimed to investigate the effect and carry-over effect of arm swing exercise (ASE) training on cardiac autonomic modulation, cardiovascular risk factors, and blood electrolytes in older persons with prehypertension.

METHODS

Subjects were 50 individuals with prehypertension (aged 66.90 ± 5.50 yr, body mass index 23.84 ± 3.65 kg/m). They were randomly assigned into ASE group and control group. Subjects in the ASE group underwent an ASE training program for 3 months at a frequency of 30 min/day, 3 days/week. Subjects in the control group maintained their daily routine activities minus regular exercise. Blood pressure, heart rate variability (HRV), cardiovascular risk factors including blood glucose, lipid profile, high-sensitive C-reactive protein (hsCRP), and electrolytes were evaluated on 3 occasions: before and after the 3-month intervention, and 1 month after intervention ended.

RESULTS

Following the 3-month intervention, systolic blood pressure (SBP) and serum hsCRP concentration were significantly lower, while serum high-density lipoprotein (HDL)-cholesterol, potassium (K), magnesium (Mg) concentrations, standard deviation of normal R-R intervals (RMSSD) and high frequency (HF) power values were higher in the ASE group when compared with the control group (p < 0.05). At the 1-month follow-up interval, SBP and serum hsCRP concentration remained lower while serum HDL-cholesterol and K concentrations remained higher in the ASE group as compared to the control group (p < 0.05).

CONCLUSION

ASE training decreased SBP and serum hsCRP concentration, increased serum HDL-cholesterol, K, and Mg concentrations and increased RMSSD and HF power values in older persons with prehypertension. In addition, there were carry-over effects of ASE training i.e. decreased SBP and serum hsCRP concentration as well as increased serum HDL-cholesterol and K concentrations.