Effect of aquatic resistance training on blood pressure and physical function of postmenopausal women

• Published in: ARYA atherosclerosis Vol. 8; p. S178
• Main Authors: Sattar, Mina, Esfarjani, Fahimeh, Nezakat-Alhosseini, Maryam, Kordavani, Laleh
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: Isfahan Isfahan Cardiovascular Research Center 01.01.2012; Vesnu Publications
• ISSN: 1735-3955; 2251-6638

<span style="font-size: 9pt; font-family: "Times New Roman","serif";">BACKGROUND: In postmenopausal women, the risk of having cardiac diseases, especially high blood pressure, is increased due to the decrease in secretion of estrogen. The goal of this study was to evaluate the effect of 8 weeks of aquatic resistance training on blood pressure and physical function of postmenopausal women. <span style="font-size: 9pt; font-family: "Times New Roman","serif";"> <span style="font-size: 9pt; font-family: "Times New Roman","serif";">METHODS: In this quasi-experimental study, 24 postmenopausal women (age: 53-60 years, BMI= 29.23 ± 5.27kg/m2<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif";" lang="AR-SA">( were randomly divided into experimental (n = 14) and control (n = 10) groups. Women in the experimental group participated in an aquatic exercise program for 8 weeks (3 sessions per week) in the deep parts of the pool. Training included walking and running in water with water dumbbells weighing 250 grams. Before and after the exercise period, the body composition, blood pressure, dynamic balance, and flexibility of the subjects were measured. <span style="font-size: 9pt; font-family: "Times New Roman","serif";"> RESULTS: According to the T-score, the average systolic blood pressure in the experimental group significantly decreased (9.29%) (P = 0.001). Dynamic balance and flexibility, respectively, significantly increased by 22.02% and 24.4% (P < 0.01). No significant changes were observed in body fat and weight. <span style="font-size: 9pt; font-family: "Times New Roman","serif";">CONCLUSION: Due to the positive effect of aquatic resistance training on blood pressure, dynamic balance, and flexibility these exercises are recommended for postmenopausal women. <span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif";">Keywords: Menopausal Women, Blood Pressure, Flexibility, Aquatic Resistance Training