Influence of a 10-Week Controlled Exercise Program on Resting Blood Pressure in Sedentary Older Adults

Abstract

Objective: The objective of this study was to determine the efficacy of a 10- week controlled aerobic exercise pro- gram on resting blood pressure (BP) and magnitude of BP change response to such training in sedentary elderly individuals. Methods: Previously sedentary partici- pants aged 75 years and older were ran- domized to either a control or one of two exercise groups. Subjects in exercise groups performed aerobic exercise at moderate or high intensity, 3 days per week for 40 minutes per session. Resting BP was measured in sitting position at pre- and post-intervention. Results: The high-intensity exercise group showed a significant reduction in resting systolic BP (-7.8 mmHg) and