Elderly hypertensive subjects have a better profile of cardiovascular and renal responses during water-based exercise.

Abstract

The purpose of this study was to evaluate the cardiovascular and renal responses in elderly hypertensive subjects during land exercise (LE) and water-based exercise (AE). Eighteen women were subjected to an immersion session during resting (IR) and 2 LE and AE sessions. The subjects’ blood pressure (BP), heart rate (HR), urinary samples, and baroreflex index were measured before and after each session. The IR session resulted in bradycardia and increased urinary production. Compared to the LE session (52 ± 5 beats·min-1; P = 0.03), the AE session during immersion produced a lower increase in HR (46 ± 6 beats·min-1). In addition, diastolic blood pressure range during the LE session was negative in relation to the AE session (AE, -4 ± 3.5 mmHg vs. LE, 5 ± 2 mmHg; P = 0.04). The results indicate that the cardiovascular and renal responses are different both at rest and during exercise in elderly hypertensive subjects.