Dunlap Emily, Alhalimi Taha, McLaurin Natalie, Tanaka Hirofumi
Cardiovascular Aging Research Laboratory, Department of Kinesiology and Health Education, The University of Texas at Austin, Austin, Texas, USA.
Am J Hypertens. 2023 Oct 13;36(11):588-592. doi: 10.1093/ajh/hpad063.
Although regular exercise can help reduce blood pressure (BP), older adults often struggle with adhering to land-based exercise due to barriers such as arthritis pain, functional limitations, and fear of falling. Aquatic exercise is a good alternative mode of exercise that may reduce barriers and improve adherence. However, limited evidence is available on the effectiveness of aquatic exercise in reducing BP in older adults with isolated systolic hypertension. This study aimed to determine the effects of an 8-week aquatic exercise program on arterial BP in older adults.
Twenty-five participants were randomized to a control (n = 12, 81 ± 8 years) or aquatic exercise group (n = 13, 83 ± 7 years). The exercise group received aquatic cognitive-motor training at a moderate-intensity for 45 minutes per session three times per week for 8 weeks. The non-exercising control group received a 1-hour fall prevention seminar and was asked to maintain their normal physical activity level.
Baseline characteristics were not different between the groups. After 8 weeks, the exercise group had reductions in systolic BP (135 ± 11 vs. 126 ± 13 mm Hg, P < 0.01) and pulse pressure (PP) (68 ± 8 vs. 60 ± 8 mm Hg, P < 0.01) without significant change in diastolic BP. There were no significant changes in the control group.
Aquatic cognitive-motor training performed at a moderate-intensity was effective in inducing clinically meaningful reductions in systolic BP and PP in older adults.
尽管规律运动有助于降低血压（BP），但由于关节炎疼痛、功能受限以及害怕跌倒等障碍，老年人在坚持陆上运动方面往往存在困难。水上运动是一种很好的替代运动方式，可能会减少障碍并提高依从性。然而，关于水上运动对单纯收缩期高血压老年人降低血压有效性的证据有限。本研究旨在确定一项为期8周的水上运动计划对老年人动脉血压的影响。
25名参与者被随机分为对照组（n = 12，81±8岁）或水上运动组（n = 13，83±7岁）。运动组每周进行三次中等强度的水上认知运动训练，每次训练45分钟，持续8周。非运动对照组参加了1小时的预防跌倒研讨会，并被要求保持正常的身体活动水平。
两组的基线特征无差异。8周后，运动组的收缩压（135±11 vs. 126±13 mmHg，P < 0.01）和脉压（PP）（68±8 vs. 60±8 mmHg，P < 0.01）降低，舒张压无显著变化。对照组无显著变化。
中等强度的水上认知运动训练能有效使老年人的收缩压和脉压出现具有临床意义的降低。
