Effect of interrupting a supervised aerobic training in postmenopausal hypertensive women

Abstract

Arterial hypertension is a relevant risk factor for the development of cardiovascular disease, which is considered the main cause of deaths among postmenopausal women. Aerobic exercise has been recommended
as an effective therapeutic option for blood pressure (BP) control, but it has to be done continuously for the maintenance of its hypotensor effect. The aim of this study was to evaluate BP behaviour and functional performance of hypertensive postmenopausal women three months after the interruption of a supervised aerobic training, when the participants were instructed to do the exercises independently; it was also assessed whether they would follow these instructions. Five hypertensive postmenopausal women were evaluated, before and after the three-month lag, as to BP, heart rate and distance walked (in the six-minute walk test, 6MWT). Furthermore, an anthropometrical assessment was done and a questionnaire applied for evaluation of adherence. Systolic blood pressure increased and distance walked decreased in the five participants. None of the volunteers followed the aerobic exercise prescription. According to results, the unsupervised aerobic exercise program proposed was not effective for BP control. Furthermore, the volunteers did not maintain their aerobic fitness. The nonadherence to the program indicates that aerobic exercise needs to be done continuously and under supervision for the maintenance of its benefits on BP and aerobic fitness.