PSYCHOLOGICAL-ASPECTS OF BICYCLE EXERCISE AT WORK LOADS FREELY CHOSENBY PATIENTS WITH ESSENTIAL-HYPERTENSION

Changes in psychological status produced by different intensities of p hysical training were studied in 144 patients with stage I - II essent ial hypertension. Thirty nine patients exercised at fixed work loads e qual to 50% of patient's individual maximal working capacity while in 105 patients physical training was based on free self choice of workin g parameters. After 12 sessions of bicycle pedaling patients of ''free choice'' group compared to fixed load group showed decreases in hypoc hondria, depression, psycho-asthenia, demonstrativeness and autism. Th ere was stable direct correlation between psychological appearance of patients and type of selected work load.