title: Effect of endurance training on blood pressure regulation, biomarkers and the heart in subjects at a higher age.
abstract: We reported previously that two otherwise identical training programs at lower (LI) and higher intensity (HI) similarly reduced resting systolic blood pressure (BP) by approximately 4-6 mmHg. Here, we determined the effects of both programs on BP-regulating mechanisms, on biomarkers of systemic inflammation and prothrombotic state and on the heart. In this cross-over study (3 × 10 weeks), healthy participants exercised three times 1 h/week at, respectively, 33% and 66% of the heart rate (HR) reserve, in a random order, with a sedentary period in between. Measurements, performed at baseline and at the end of each period, involved blood sampling, HR variability, systolic BP variability (SBPV) and cardiac magnetic resonance imaging. Thirty-nine participants (18 men; mean age 59 years) completed the study. Responses were not different between both programs (P>0.05). Pooled data from LI and HI showed a reduction in HR (-4.3 ± 8.1%) and an increase in stroke volume (+11 ± 23.1%). No significant effect was seen on SBPV, plasma renin activity, basal nitric oxide and left ventricular mass. Our results suggest that the BP reduction observed appears to be due to a decrease in systemic vascular resistance; training intensity does not significantly affect the results on mechanisms, biomarkers and the heart.
authors.affiliation: Division of Hypertension and Cardiovascular Rehabilitation, Department of Cardiovascular, Diseases, Faculty of Medicine, University of Leuven, KU Leuven, Leuven, Belgium. veronique.cornelissen@faber.kuleuven.be
authors.forename: V A
authors.initials: VA
authors.lastname: Cornelissen
authors.forename: K
authors.initials: K
authors.lastname: Goetschalckx
authors.forename: B
authors.initials: B
authors.lastname: Verheyden
authors.forename: A E
authors.initials: AE
authors.lastname: Aubert
authors.forename: J
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Arnout
authors.forename: A
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Persu
authors.forename: F
authors.initials: F
authors.lastname: Rademakers
authors.forename: R H
authors.initials: RH
authors.lastname: Fagard
mesh_terms: D015415:Biomarkers; D001794:Blood Pressure / Q000502:physiology*; D018592:Cross-Over Studies; D015444:Exercise / Q000502:physiology*; D006321:Heart; D006339:Heart Rate; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D010807:Physical Endurance / Q000502:physiology; D013318:Stroke Volume / Q000502:physiology
chemical_list: D015415:Biomarkers