Sustained effect of resistance training on blood pressure and hand grip strength following a detraining period in elderly hypertensive women: a pilot study.
BACKGROUND
Hypertension is the most prevalent modifiable risk factor with a high prevalence among older adults. Exercise is a nonpharmacological treatment shown to benefit all patients with hypertension.


OBJECTIVE
This study examined the effects of a 14-week moderate intensity resistance training program (RT) on the maintenance of blood pressure and hand grip strength during an extended detraining period in elderly hypertensive women.


METHODS
Twelve hypertensive sedentary elderly women completed 14 weeks of whole body RT at a moderate perceived exertion following a detraining period of 14 weeks.


RESULTS
Following the training period, participants demonstrated an increase in absolute hand grip strength (P=0.001), relative hand grip strength (P=0.032) and a decrease of systolic (P=0.001), diastolic (P=0.008), and mean blood pressure (P=0.002) when compared to pre-exercise values. In addition, these effects were sustained after 14 weeks of detraining.


CONCLUSIONS
Resistance training may be a valuable method to improve muscular strength and blood pressure in elderly people with benefits being maintained up to 14 weeks following training cessation.
Postgraduate Program in Physical Education, Catholic University of Brasilia, Brasilia, Brazil ; Department of Physical Education, University Center Euro American University Center, Brasilia, Brazil ; Strength Training and Health Research Group (GEPEEFS), Brasilia, Brazil.
Dahan da Cunha
Dda C
Nascimento
Postgraduate Program in Physical Education, Catholic University of Brasilia, Brasilia, Brazil ; Strength Training and Health Research Group (GEPEEFS), Brasilia, Brazil.
Ramires Alsamir
RA
Tibana
Department of Kinesiology and Sports Studies Graduate Program, Eastern Illinois University, Charleston, IL, USA.
Franklin M
FM
Benik
Faculty of Physical Education, University of Brasilia, Brasilia, Brazil.
Keila Elizabeth
KE
Fontana
Strength Training and Health Research Group (GEPEEFS), Brasilia, Brazil.
Frederico
F
Ribeiro Neto
Department of Physical Education, University Center Euro American University Center, Brasilia, Brazil ; Strength Training and Health Research Group (GEPEEFS), Brasilia, Brazil.
Frederico Santos de
FS
Santana
Graduate Program in Medical Sciences of the University of Brasilia, School of Medicine and Rheumatology Service, University Hospital of Brasilia (HUB), Brasilia, Brazil.
Leopoldo
L
Santos-Neto
Postgraduate Program in Physical Education, Catholic University of Brasilia, Brasilia, Brazil ; Department of Physical Education, University Center Euro American University Center, Brasilia, Brazil ; Center of Excellence in Medicine of Exercise (CEMEx), Brasilia, Brazil.
Renato André Sousa
RA
Silva
Postgraduate Program in Physical Education, Catholic University of Brasilia, Brasilia, Brazil ; Center University of Brasilia (UNICEUB), Brasilia, Brazil.
Alessandro Oliveira
AO
Silva
Postgraduate Program in Physical Education, Catholic University of Brasilia, Brasilia, Brazil ; Center University of Brasilia (UNICEUB), Brasilia, Brazil.
Darlan Lopes
DL
Farias
Graduate Program in Medical Sciences of the University of Brasilia, School of Medicine and Rheumatology Service, University Hospital of Brasilia (HUB), Brasilia, Brazil ; Department of Physical Education, University Center Euro American University Center, Brasilia, Brazil ; Strength Training and Health Research Group (GEPEEFS), Brasilia, Brazil.
Sandor
S
Balsamo
Postgraduate Program in Physical Education, Catholic University of Brasilia, Brasilia, Brazil.
Jonato
J
Prestes
D001794:Blood Pressure / Q000502:physiology; D005260:Female; D018737:Hand Strength / Q000502:physiology; D006801:Humans; D006973:Hypertension / Q000503:physiopathology / Q000628:therapy*; D008875:Middle Aged; D010865:Pilot Projects; D055070:Resistance Training / Q000379:methods
aging; detraining; elderly; hypertension; resistance training