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Effect of endurance training on blood pressure regulation, biomarkers and the heart in subjects at a higher age
Author(s) -
Cornelissen V. A.,
Goetschalckx K.,
Verheyden B.,
Aubert A. E.,
Arnout J.,
Persu A.,
Rademakers F.,
Fagard R. H.
Publication year - 2011
Publication title -
scandinavian journal of medicine and science in sports
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 1.575
H-Index - 115
eISSN - 1600-0838
pISSN - 0905-7188
DOI - 10.1111/j.1600-0838.2010.01094.x
Subject(s) - medicine , blood pressure , cardiology , stroke volume , heart rate , basal (medicine) , insulin
We reported previously that two otherwise identical training programs at lower (LI) and higher intensity (HI) similarly reduced resting systolic blood pressure (BP) by approximately 4–6 mmHg. Here, we determined the effects of both programs on BP‐regulating mechanisms, on biomarkers of systemic inflammation and prothrombotic state and on the heart. In this cross‐over study (3 × 10 weeks), healthy participants exercised three times 1 h/week at, respectively, 33% and 66% of the heart rate (HR) reserve, in a random order, with a sedentary period in between. Measurements, performed at baseline and at the end of each period, involved blood sampling, HR variability, systolic BP variability (SBPV) and cardiac magnetic resonance imaging. Thirty‐nine participants (18 men; mean age 59 years) completed the study. Responses were not different between both programs ( P >0.05). Pooled data from LI and HI showed a reduction in HR (−4.3 ± 8.1%) and an increase in stroke volume (+11 ± 23.1%). No significant effect was seen on SBPV, plasma renin activity, basal nitric oxide and left ventricular mass. Our results suggest that the BP reduction observed appears to be due to a decrease in systemic vascular resistance; training intensity does not significantly affect the results on mechanisms, biomarkers and the heart.