Abstract 303: Effect of a Resistance Training Period on Blood Pressure, Circulating Levels of Interleukine-6, Quality of Life and Functional Capacities in Elderly Hypertensive Patients

The aging increases susceptibility to hypertension, and also promotes muscle wasting, thereby increasing the risk of falls within the elderly. In contrast, the resistance training (RT) is recommended for increasing or maintaining muscle strength levels in the elderly. However, there is still no consensus in the literature about its effectiveness for hypertension treatment. Therefore, the aim of this study was to verify the effect of RT on blood pressure, circulating levels of Interleukine-6 (IL-6), quality of life and functional capacities in elderly hypertensive patients. Methods 43 subjects were randomized in two groups: sedentary (S) and RT. The RT was practiced during 14 weeks in three non-consecutive days per week, with 50% of 1 maximal repetition of intensity. Before and after experiment period were evaluated blood pressure by ambulatory blood pressure monitoring (ABPM), IL-6 by ELISA kit, quality of life by questionnaire (SF-36) and functional capacities by battery of functional tests. Data were analyzed using ANOVA two-way (p≤0.05). Results The S group showed no statistical differences in ABPM, IL-6, SF-36 and functional testing, pre and post experiment. On the other hand, the RT group had significant reductions in systolic blood pressure within 24 hours (125 ± 2; 120±3 mmHg pre and post, respectively), day-time (127±2; 123±3 mmHg pre and post, respectively) and morning-time (125±4; 118±3 mmHg pre and post, respectively), diastolic blood pressure in 24-hours (69±1; 66±1 mmHg pre and post, respectively), night-time (64±1; 59±1 mmHg pre and post, respectively) and morning-time (69±2; 66±1 mmHg pre and post, respectively), mean blood pressure in 24-hours (91±1; 86±2 mmHg pre and post, respectively), day-time (93±1; 89±2 mmHg pre and post, respectively) and morning-time (87±2; 84±2 mmHg pre and post, respectively). In the SF-36, the RT group improved its results in all categories, which was also observed in the functional tests. The RT group showed a trend towards reduction in IL-6, which was not observed in the S group. Conclusion A period of resistance training lowered blood pressure and improved quality of life and functional capacity of elderly hypertensive patients. Acknowledgements: FAPESP 2011/23830-3