Costa, Ingrid Bezerra Barbosa, Schwade, Daniel, Macêdo, Geovani Araújo Dantas, Browne, Rodrigo Alberto Vieira, Farias-Junior, Luiz Fernando, Freire, Yuri Alberto, Sócrates, Júlio, Boreskie, Kevin F, Duhamel, Todd A, and Caldas Costa, Eduardo
Ingrid Bezerra Barbosa Costa,1,2 Daniel Schwade,2 Geovani Araújo Dantas Macêdo,1,2 Rodrigo Alberto Vieira Browne,3,2 Luiz Fernando Farias-Junior,3,2 Yuri Alberto Freire,1,2 Júlio Sócrates,3,2 Kevin F Boreskie,4,5 Todd A Duhamel,4,5 Eduardo Caldas Costa1–31Department of Physical Education, Graduate Program in Physical Education, Federal University of Rio Grande do Norte, Natal, RN, Brazil; 2Department of Physical Education, Federal University of Rio Grande do Norte, Natal, RN, Brazil; 3Graduate Program in Health Sciences, Federal University of Rio Grande do Norte, Natal, RN, Brazil; 4Institute of Cardiovascular Sciences, St Boniface Hospital Albrechtsen Research Centre, Winnipeg, MB, Canada; 5Faculty of Kinesiology & Recreation Management, Health, Leisure, and Human Performance Research Institute, University of Manitoba, Winnipeg, MB, CanadaPurpose: Acute reduction in blood pressure (BP) following an exercise session is evidenced in controlled settings with formal supervision in hypertensive older populations. This study investigated the effect of a self-selected exercise (SSE)-intensity session on ambulatory BP in hypertensive older women in a “real-world” setting.Methods: Twenty inactive older women with hypertension (64.9±4.5 years) were included in this randomized, controlled, crossover trial. After baseline assessments, participants performed 30 minutes of an SSE-intensity session on an outdoor track and a control session, separated by 7-10 days. Heart rate (HR), rating of perceived exertion (RPE), and affective response were assessed. Ambulatory BP was monitored for 20 hours following both sessions. Paired t-tests and generalized estimation were used for data analysis.Results: Participants exercised at 5.1±1.1 km/h, spent ∼90% of the exercise time at moderate–vigorous intensity (≥40% of heart rate reserve). SSE-intensity session was reported as light (RPE 11.0±1.5) and pleasant (affect 3.4±1.2). SSE-intensity session elicited reductions in systolic BP in the first 6 hours postexercise (6.0 mmHg, CI 2.7–9.3 mmHg; P0.05).Conclusion: An SSE-intensity session elicited a reduction in ambulatory systolic BP in inactive older women with hypertension during awake and 20-hour periods. Also, the SSE-intensity session was reported as light and pleasant.Keywords: physical activity, blood pressure, adherence, affect, elderly