title: Cardiovascular adaptations to resistance training in elderly postmenopausal women.
abstract: The purpose of this study was to investigate the effect of resistance training on resting blood pressure and heart rate variability in elderly postmenopausal women. 29 untrained, non-hypertensive elderly women were randomly assigned to 2 groups: an intervention group (n=15, 65.5±5.0 years, 57.3±6.5 kg, 156.7±5.1 cm) that underwent a supervised resistance training program (8 exercises, 2 sets, 10-15 repetitions, 3 times/week) or a control group (n=14, 66.2±4.1 years, 61.1±11.7 kg, 157.5±7.1 cm) that participated in a supervised stretching program (25-30 min/session, 2 times/week). Resting auscultatory blood pressure, heart rate variability, evaluated from short recordings in a seated position, and maximal dynamic strength (1-RM test) were measured at baseline and after 12 weeks. A group x time ANOVA revealed that muscular strength increased significantly in the resistance training group (+ 10.2% for bench press and +12.7% for leg extension, P<0.05). Systolic blood pressure was reduced significantly in the resistance training group from pre- to post-intervention period (- 5 mmHg; P<0.05), while no significant effect was noted for diastolic blood pressure and heart rate variability indexes (P>0.05). None of these variables changed in the control group throughout the study. In conclusion, a supervised resistance training program improved muscular strength and reduced systolic blood pressure without affecting diastolic blood pressure and heart rate variability in elderly postmenopausal women.
authors: Departement of Physical Education, Federal University of Santa Catarina, Florianopolis, Brazil. alinegerage@yahoo.com.br
authors: A M
authors: AM
authors: Gerage
authors: C L M
authors: CL
authors: Forjaz
authors: M A
authors: MA
authors: Nascimento
authors: R S B
authors: RS
authors: Januário
authors: M D
authors: MD
authors: Polito
authors: E S
authors: ES
authors: Cyrino
mesh_terms: D000368:Aged; D000704:Analysis of Variance; D001794:Blood Pressure / Q000502:physiology*; D005260:Female; D006339:Heart Rate / Q000502:physiology*; D006801:Humans; D008875:Middle Aged; D053580:Muscle Strength / Q000502:physiology; D017698:Postmenopause; D055070:Resistance Training / Q000379:methods*