The accumulative effects of physical activity in hypertensive post-menopausal women

Background Lifestyle modifications, such as physical activity, are recommen ded as first-line or adjunctive therapy for hypertension. However, controve rsy exists regarding the type, amount, and intensity of physical activity f or optimal blood pressure lowering. Design and Methods This study evaluated the blood pressure changes in 18 po st-menopausal, sedentary, untreated hypertensive women randomized to an ind ividualized 8-week programme of intermittent mode rate-intensity physical a ctivity versus no change in physical activity. The physical activity group was asked to select activities (such as walking) to engage in physical acti vity for 10 min, three times a day, 5 days per week at an intensity of 50-6 0% heart rate reserve. Results Independent T-tests were used to compare the difference in resting blood pressure between groups. After 8 weeks, resting blood pressure was 8/ 5 mmHg lower in the physical activity group (systolic blood pressure, P = 0 .006 and diastolic blood pressure, P = 0.059). The between group difference s remained significant after adjustment for age, baseline blood pressure an d previous use of antihypertensive drug therapy. Conclusion These data show that hypertensive, post-menopausal women who eng age in intermittent, moderate-intensity physical activity experience a redu ction in blood pressure. (C) 2001 Lippincott Williams & Wilkins.