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Post-exercise hypotension after different volumes of combined calisthenic and walking exercises in older adults with hypertension: a randomized controlled trial

Journal of Human Hypertension volume 39, pages 22–28 (2025)Cite this article

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Abstract

This study aimed to analyze the acute effects of combined calisthenic and walking exercises using different volumes on blood pressure (BP) in aging adults with primary hypertension. A total of 48 participants with primary hypertension aged 50–80 years were randomly assigned into two groups that performed two experimental sessions each: a non-exercising CONTROL session and a LOW (group 1) or HIGH (group 2) volume exercise session. The order of these sessions was randomized. The exercise protocols lasted 30 min (LOW) or 60 min (HIGH) and consisted of calisthenic exercises combined with continuous walking or jogging. Exercise intensity was controlled using a rating of perceived exertion (RPE) scale. BP was measured at baseline and after each session for 60 min. Results showed that systolic BP was lower after the HIGH session at post 30’ (p = 0.03), post 40’ (p = 0.03), post 50’ (p = 0.04), and post 60’ (p < 0.02), and after the LOW session at post 30’ (p = 0.02), post 40’ (p < 0.01), post 50’ (p < 0.01), and post 60’ (p < 0.01) when compared to the corresponding CONTROL at the same time point. There were no significant differences in systolic and diastolic BP between the HIGH and LOW sessions. In conclusion, a pragmatic combined training session using different volumes acutely reduces BP in older adults with primary hypertension.

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Fig. 1
Fig. 2
Fig. 3: Systolic and diastolic blood pressure at baseline and post HIGH or LOW combined training and non-exercising control sessions.

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Data availability

The datasets generated during and/or analysed during the current study are available from the corresponding author on reasonable request.

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Acknowledgements

Vinícius M. Schneider and Rodrigo Abreu received a scholarship from Coordenação de Aperfeiçoamento de Pessoal de Nível Superior (CAPES) - finance code 001. The funders did not have a role in the study design, data collection, analysis, interpretation of results, or the manuscript.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Postgraduate Program in Cardiology, School of Medicine, Universidade Federal do Rio Grande do Sul, Porto Alegre, RS, Brazil

    Vinícius Mallmann Schneider, Rodrigo Flores de Abreu & Rodrigo Ferrari

  2. Sports and Exercise Training Study Group, Clinical Research Center, Hospital de Clínicas de Porto Alegre, Porto Alegre, RS, Brazil

    Vinícius Mallmann Schneider, Rodrigo Flores de Abreu & Rodrigo Ferrari

  3. Department of Kinesiology and Health Education, The University of Texas at Austin, Austin, TX, USA

    Hirofumi Tanaka

  4. Postgraduate Program in Human Movement Sciences, School of Physical Education, Universidade Federal do Rio Grande do Sul, Porto Alegre, RS, Brazil

    Rodrigo Ferrari

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Contributions

Vinicius M. Schneider; data collection, analysis and interpretation of results, drafted manuscript preparation. Rodrigo Abreu; data collection Hirofumi Tanaka; drafted the manuscript preparation. Rodrigo Ferrari; study conception and design, drafted the manuscript preparation. All authors edited and revised the manuscript and approved the final version of the manuscript.

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Correspondence to Rodrigo Ferrari.

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Schneider, V.M., de Abreu, R.F., Tanaka, H. et al. Post-exercise hypotension after different volumes of combined calisthenic and walking exercises in older adults with hypertension: a randomized controlled trial. J Hum Hypertens 39, 22–28 (2025). https://doi.org/10.1038/s41371-024-00972-9

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