Effect of Resistance Training Intensity on Blood Pressure in Older Women
in Journal of Aging and Physical ActivityThis study aimed to compare the effects of resistance training performed with low versus moderate loads on systemic resting blood pressure (BP) in older women. A total of 29 women (72.6 ± 5.1 years) were randomized into two groups: low load (LOW, n = 15) and moderate load (MOD, n = 14). An 8-week whole-body resistance training program was carried out 3 days/week (eight exercises, three sets, 10 or 15 repetition maximum). The LOW and MOD groups trained with a relative load of 15 and 10 repetition maximum, respectively. Outcome measures included resting systolic and diastolic BP. After 8 weeks, both groups presented significant changes (p < .05) in systolic BP (LOW = −3.0%; MOD = −4.6%) and mean BP (LOW = −1.9%; MOD = −3.1%). There was no change for diastolic BP in the posttest in both groups. The results suggest that low and moderate loads are equally effective for promoting decreases in resting BP in older women.
Ribeiro, Coronado, and Aguiar are with the Center for Research in Health Sciences, University of Northern Paraná, Londrina, Brazil. Nunes, dos Santos, and Cyrino are with the Metabolism, Nutrition, and Exercise Laboratory, Physical Education and Sport Center, Londrina State University, Londrina, Brazil. Andrade-Lima is with the Department of Physical Education, Federal University of Sergipe, São Cristóvão, Brazil. Schoenfeld is with the Health Sciences Department, Lehman College, CUNY, Bronx, NY, USA.
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