Abstract:Background: Hypertension (HTN) is a major risk factor for cardiovascular disease (CVD), including stroke, myocardial infarction, chronic kidney disease, continuous atherosclerosis and dementia. Resistance exercise (RE) is found to beneficial for persons with or at risk for HTN. Therefore, the aim of this study is to assess the immediate effect of resistance exercise of two different intensities on blood pressure in hypertensive elderly women.
Methods: A total of 26 hypertensive elderly women were included in the study. The subjects were divided into two groups: group A – low intensity RE (50% of 1RM) and group B – high intensity RE (80% of 1RM). The blood pressure was measured pre – exercise (baseline) and post exercise (after 5 minutes).
Results: The reduction in systolic blood pressure (SBP) and diastolic blood pressure (DBP) was greater during low intensity exercise. Between groups analysis showed no significant difference between two groups.
Conclusion: Both low and high intensity resistance exercise can cause immediate reduction in blood pressure. However, low intensity resistance exercise is more effective in reducing blood pressure in hypertensive women.
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