Aerobic Exercise in Older Adults with Controlled Systemic Arterial Hypertension

Abstract

High blood pressure has been identified as the most prevalent disease worldwide and the leading global cause of morbidity and mortality in adults. During 2020, the incidence rate of high blood pressure in Mexico was 334.3 cases per 100,000 inhabitants, where the group of older adults was the most affected, obtaining a prevalence of 63.9%. The objective of this study was to investigate the beneficial effects of 6 months of aerobic component training. This, hand in hand with pharmacological treatment, in older adults with controlled systemic arterial hypertension over their clinical condition, determined by the main variables studied (BP, BMI, and waist circumference). A population of 44 older adults who were classified into three groups of aerobic exercise was studied. Anthropometric data, vital signs, and statistical data were collected, evaluated, and compared between each exercise period. It was observed that the group with the highest percentage of patients who had a reduction in blood pressure was the swimming group, equaling 73% of the group. They also had a reduction in BMI and abdominal perimeter with 71% of the group experiencing the reduction at the end of the training period. Nevertheless, it was concluded that aerobic exercise constitutes a contributing clinical factor in the treatment and control of high blood pressure and cardiovascular risk factors. However, as it is a small sample, it could incur biases, which is why further research on sports medicine is suggested.