Effects of Concurrent Training with Elastic Tubes in Hypertensive Patients: A Blind Controlled Randomized Clinical Trial

ABSTRACT

Background: Concurrent training (CT) has been recommended to minimize the deleterious effects of aging. However, few studies have investigated whether this type of training reduces blood pressure in the elderly. Therefore, our objective was to evaluate the effects of CT on the hemodynamic, cardiorespiratory, and muscle strength responses in medicated hypertensive patients. Methods: Twenty-three hypertensives (62.65 ± 6.4 years) of both sexes were allocated to the concurrent training group (CTG) or control group (CG). The CTG performed aerobic training (70–85% of reserve heart rate) combined with resistance training with elastic tubes (2sets × 15 repetitions) for 8 weeks. Resting blood pressure (BP), peak oxygen consumption (VO₂peak), and right knee and elbow flexion strength were evaluated. Results: A reduction of 6.37% was observed in BP and increases of 16.68% in VO₂peak and 16% in muscle strength for right elbow flexion in the CTG compared to CG (p < .05). Intragroup comparisons showed reduction of 5% for BP, and increases of 6.79% for VO₂peak, 24.79% for elbow flexion, and 16.47% for knee flexion in the CTG (p < .05), without significant improvement in the CG. Conclusion: CT promoted a reduction in BP, and increased cardiorespiratory fitness and muscular strength of the upper limbs in the hypertensive older adults.

Acknowledgments

The authors to thank specially to Ph.D. Daniel Umpierre de Moraes, and we also gratefully acknowledge all the participants who participated in this research. This work was supported by the CAPES master fellowship for SNO and FAPEAM for a PhD fellowship to ESB.