Cunha RM, et al. - This research coveted an inspection of the post-exercise hypotension (PEH) after a session of aquatic exercise in physically active, older women with hypertension. It was reported that aquatic exercise elicited PEH (∼5 mmHg) over 21 hr, blood pressure (BP) reductions. This was comparable in magnitude to land aerobic exercise. In order to comprehend the immediate antihypertensive benefits of acute aquatic exercise, prospective studies were required.

Methods

• The eligible candidates consisted of 24 women 70.0±3.9 years with a resting systolic (SBP)/diastolic (DBP) BP of 124.0/72.3 mmHg and body mass index (BMI) of 29.8±4.1 kg/m².
• They were randomly assigned to participate in a 45 min session of moderate intensity, water-based exercise (WATER) and a 45 min land control session (CONTROL).
• All experimental sessions started at 9 am sharply with 7 days between them.
• Subjects left the experiments wearing an ambulatory BP monitor for the next 21 hr.

Results

• SBP was found to be lower by 5.1±1.0 mmHg after WATER than CONTROL over 21 hr (p<0.001), over awake hours by 5.7±1.1 mmHg (p<0.001), and sleep hours by 4.5±0.4 mmHg (p=0.004).
• Lower DBP was recorded following WATER compared to CONTROL: 1.2±0.3 mmHg over 21 hours (p=0.043); 0.9±0.6 mmHg over awake hours (p=0.101); and 1.4± 0.9 mmHg over sleep hours (p=0.039).