Effect of normobaric hypoxic exercise on blood pressure in old individuals

Markus Hein, Kristine Chobanyan-Jürgens, Uwe Tegtbur, Stefan Engeli, Jens Jordan, Sven Haufe, Markus Hein, Kristine Chobanyan-Jürgens, Uwe Tegtbur, Stefan Engeli, Jens Jordan, Sven Haufe

Abstract

Purpose: To test the hypothesis that the combination of endurance training and hypoxia leads to greater improvements in resting and exercise blood pressure in old sedentary individuals compared to endurance training only.

Methods: We randomly assigned 29 old overweight participants (age: 62 ± 6 years, body mass index (BMI): 28.5 ± 0.5 kg/m2, 52% men) to single blind 8-week bicycle exercise in hypoxia (fraction of inspired oxygen (FIO2) = 0.15) or normoxia (FIO2 = 0.21). Brachial blood pressure was measured at rest, during maximal incremental exercise testing, and during a 30 min constant work rate test, at baseline and after the training period.

Results: Work rate, heart rate and perceived exertion during training were similar in both groups, with lower oxygen saturation for participants exercising under hypoxia (88.7 ± 1.5 vs. 96.2 ± 1.2%, t(27) = - 13.04, p < 0.001, |g|= 4.85). Office blood pressure and blood pressure during incremental exercise tests did not change significantly in either group after the training program. Systolic blood pressure during the constant work rate test was reduced after training in hypoxia (160 ± 18 vs. 151 ± 14 mmHg, t(13) = 2.44 p < 0.05, |d|= 0.55) but not normoxia (154 ± 22 vs. 150 ± 16 mmHg, t(14) = 0.75, p = 0.46, |d|= 0.18) with no difference between groups over time (F = 0.08, p = 0.77, η2 = 0.01).

Conclusion: In old individuals hypoxia in addition to exercise does not have superior effects on office or exercise blood pressure compared to training in normoxia.

Trial registration number: ClinicalTrials.gov No. NCT02196623 (registered 22 July 2014).

Keywords: Blood pressure; Elderly; Exercise; Hypoxia.

Conflict of interest statement

The authors have nothing to disclose.

Figures

Fig. 1
Fig. 1
Individual and mean (solid line) changes in office blood pressure of participants randomized to exercise in normoxia or hypoxia after 8 weeks of training compared to baseline. No significant differences were detected within groups or between groups over time
Fig. 2
Fig. 2
Blood pressure, heart rate, and blood lactate concentration during constant work rate exercise test (60% of baseline peak oxygen uptake) on a bicycle ergometer at baseline and after 8 weeks. Data are mean ± SD. *p < 0.05 between baseline and post in the hypoxia group. †p < 0.05 between baseline and post in the normoxia group. No significant differences were detected between groups over time

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