The effect of resistance exercise on mean blood pressure in the patients referring to cardiovascular research centre

BACKGROUND One of the most important risk factors for cardiovascular disease is hypertension. 1 billion people in the world and 25-35% of the adult population in Iran suffer from hypertension. Despite the emphasis on medicational treatments, non-medicational treatments and modification of lifestyle, including physical activity and exercise, are important for the control and treatment of hypertension and lead to a reduction in cardiovascular diseases. Among the various types of exercises, resistance exercise has been considered important by the cardiologists. The present study investigates the effect of resistance exercise on mean blood pressure in the cardiovascular patients. MATERIALS AND METHODS In a randomized clinical trial, 40 patients admitted to the rehabilitation unit of cardiovascular research center were assigned to study and control groups. Demographic data were collected. Their blood pressure values were measured and recorded once 1 day before the beginning of the intervention and another time 1 day after its completion. All study subjects participated in two 45-60 min exercise sessions for eight straight weeks. The control group followed routine rehabilitation unit protocol that was aerobic exercise. The study group subjects performed resistance exercise in addition to routine exercise. The weight was determined in the first session of the intervention. At the beginning, the number of the repetitions in the range of motion was 10, which was increased gradually to 15. After it reached 15 repetitions, the amount of weight was increased by 3-5% and the number of sets increased. RESULTS One day before the beginning of the intervention, mean systolic blood pressure was 128.21 (15.39) mmHg in the study group and 120.00 (20.51) mmHg in the control group. Mean diastolic blood pressure was 82.50 (9.35) mmHg in the study group and 82.00 (13.11) mmHg in the control group. There were no differences between the groups in terms of mean systolic and diastolic blood pressure (P > 0.05). After the end of the intervention, mean systolic blood pressure values were 116.42 (7.18) mmHg and 112.00 (12.60) mmHg in the study and control groups, respectively. There were no significant differences between the groups (P = 0.24). Mean diastolic blood pressure values were 81.78 (7.99) mmHg in the study group and 78.25 (12.48) mmHg in the control group. There was no significant difference between the groups (P = 0.35). At the end of the intervention, mean systolic blood pressure in the study group decreased significantly (P = 0.02). CONCLUSIONS In the present study, the effect of resistance exercise on mean systolic blood pressure showed a significant difference, caused by the aerobic exercise.