Disparate effects of exercise training on glucose tolerance and insulin levels and on ambulatory blood pressure in hypertensive patients.
OBJECTIVE
To assess the relationship of insulin levels and glucose tolerance to blood pressure in hypertension.


METHODS
An open, prospective trial of exercise training with ambulatory blood pressure monitoring and intravenous glucose tolerance testing before and after a 14-week training programme.


METHODS
Twenty sedentary, untreated, non-obese, normoglycaemic individuals of both sexes with uncomplicated essential hypertension, of whom 16 completed the study.


METHODS
Fourteen weeks of supervised, low-intensity, group exercise of three 1-h sessions per week.


METHODS
Ambulatory and clinic blood pressure, and glucose and insulin responses to an intravenous glucose tolerance test.


RESULTS
Maximal work capacity on a bicycle ergometer increased by 20% (P < 0.001); 24-h ambulatory blood pressure was 143 +/- 12/87 +/- 5 mmHg before and 142 +/- 13/87 +/- 7 mmHg after training. Clinic blood pressure decreased from 166 +/- 14/103 +/- 5 mmHg to 157 +/- 12/99 +/- 6 mmHg (P < 0.03). Two-way analysis of variance indicated significant decreases in both glucose (P < 0.04) and insulin (P < 0.03), fasting and throughout the intravenous glucose tolerance test.


CONCLUSIONS
Although mild exercise reduced clinic blood pressure significantly, it did not affect ambulatory blood pressure despite a marked reduction in glucose and insulin levels. This finding argues against a determinant role of insulin in the 24-h maintenance of blood pressure in hypertensive patients under the conditions of the study.
Bursztyn
M
M
Department of Medicine, Hadassah University Hospital, Mount Scopus, Jerusalem, Israel.
Ben-Ishay
D
D
Shochina
M
M
Mekler
J
J
Raz
I
I
D000328:Adult; D000553:Ambulatory Care; D000704:Analysis of Variance; D001786:Blood Glucose / Q000378:metabolism*; D001794:Blood Pressure; D001795:Blood Pressure Determination / Q000379:methods; D005260:Female; D005951:Glucose Tolerance Test; D006801:Humans; D006973:Hypertension / Q000097:blood / Q000503:physiopathology*; D007262:Infusions, Intravenous; D007328:Insulin / Q000097:blood*; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D010806:Physical Education and Training; D011446:Prospective Studies
D001786:Blood Glucose; D007328:Insulin