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Centre for Policy on Ageing | |
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The effects of aerobic exercise and T'ai Chi on blood pressure in older people
— results of a randomised trial | | Author(s) | Deborah Rohm Young, Lawrence J Appel, SunHa Jee |
| Journal title | Journal of the American Geriatrics Society, vol 47, no 3, March 1999 |
| Pages | pp 277-284 |
| Keywords | Exercise ; Blood pressure ; Clinical surveys ; United States of America. |
| Annotation | Although evidence from previous studies is inconsistent, it is generally accepted that regular physical activity reduces blood pressure and prevents hypertension. In this US study, 62 sedentary older adults (45% black, 79% women, aged 60 and over) with systolic blood pressure 130-159 mm HG and diastolic blood pressure <95 mm Hg (not on anti-hypertensive medication) were randomised to a 12-week aerobic exercise programme or a light intensity T'ai Chi programme, and with the aim of exercising 4 days per week, 30 minutes per day. Adjusted mean changes in systolic blood pressure over the 12 weeks were -8.4 (SD 1.6) mm Hg and -7 (SD 1.6) mm Hg for aerobic exercise and T'ai Chi groups respectively. For diastolic blood pressure, corresponding changes were -3.2 mm Hg and -2.4 mm Hg. Body weight did not change in either group. Estimated maximal aerobic capacity tended to increase in aerobic exercise but not in T'ai Chi. Moderate aerobic exercise and light exercise may have similar effects on blood pressure in previously sedentary older individuals. If further trials confirm these results, promoting light intensity activity for older people could have substantial public health benefits in reducing their blood pressure. (RH). |
| Accession Number | CPA-001107005 A |
| Classmark | CEA: BKL: 3G: 7T |
Data © Centre for Policy on Ageing |
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| ...from the Ageinfo database published by Centre for Policy on Ageing. |
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