Physical activity and resting pulse rate in older adults: Findings from a randomized controlled trial

Abstract

Background Elevated resting pulse rate (RPR) is a well-recognized risk factor for adverse outcomes. Epidemiological evidence supports the beneficial effects of regular exercise for lowering RPR, but studies are mainly confined to persons younger than 65 years. We set out to evaluate the utility of a physical activity (PA) intervention for slowing RPR among older adults. Methods A total of 424 seniors (ages 70-89 years) were randomized to a moderate intensity PA intervention or an education-based “successful aging” (SA) health program. RPR was assessed at baseline, 6 months and 12 months. Longitudinal differences in RPR were evaluated between treatment groups using generalized estimating equation (GEE) models, reporting unstandardized beta coefficients (β) with robust standard errors (SE). Results Increased frequency and duration of aerobic training was observed for the PA group at 6 and 12 months as compared with the SA group (P <0.001). In both groups, RPR remained unchanged over the course of the 12-month study period (P =0.67). No significant improvement was observed (β [SE] = 0.58 [0.88], P =0.51) for RPR when treatment groups were compared using the GEE method. Comparable results were found after omitting participants with a pacemaker, cardiac arrhythmia, or who were receiving beta-blockers. Conclusions Twelve months of moderate intensity aerobic training did not improve RPR among older adults. Additional studies are needed to determine whether physical activity of longer duration and/or greater intensity can slow RPR in older persons.

Exercise Modulation of Blood Pressure, Respiratory Rate and Pulse Rate in Undergraduate Students

“…These results suggest that increased PA may be sufficient to affect the autonomic tone of adults, similar to exercise modalities that have been shown to do so (Karavirta et al, 2009, Ueno andMoritani, 2003). However, in contrast to our results, others have reported that in older adults, no statistically significant correlation was identified between resting HR and leisure-time PA (O'Hartaigh et al, 2014, Miranda et al, 2014 .…”

Study on Relationship Between Dosha Prakruti and Heart Rate Variability (Hrv) in Geriatric Population: An Observational Study

“…Aerobic exercise has multiple positive effects on health outcomes in healthy elderly individuals including increased cardiovascular performance 1 , 22 . Contrary to this, Hartaigh et al found that twelve months of moderate intensity aerobic training did not improve RPR among older adults 23 . Hence, more prospective trials are needed to prove the same.…”

Effect of a Long‐Term Physical Activity Intervention on Resting Pulse Rate in Older Persons: Results from the Lifestyle Interventions and Independence for Elders Study

“…Physical activity (PA) promotes a broad spectrum of health benefits, in particular, by reducing the risk attributable to CV disease and its sequelae, but prior studies have largely focused on populations younger than 65. To address this gap in knowledge, the efficacy of a moderate‐intensity PA intervention for lowering resting pulse rate (RPR) in older adults was recently evaluated . RPR serves as an important predictor of adverse cardiovascular risk and is an indicator of physical fitness .…”

“…To address this gap in knowledge, the efficacy of a moderate-intensity PA intervention for lowering resting pulse rate (RPR) in older adults was recently evaluated. 7 RPR serves as an important predictor of adverse cardiovascular risk 8 and is an indicator of physical fitness. 9 Data from the Lifestyle Interventions and Independence for Elders (LIFE) Pilot Study, 7 which included 424 individuals aged 70 to 89 years, showed that a 12-month moderate-intensity aerobic training program failed to lower RPR.…”

“…RPR serves as an important predictor of adverse cardiovascular risk and is an indicator of physical fitness . Data from the Lifestyle Interventions and Independence for Elders (LIFE) Pilot Study, which included 424 individuals aged 70 to 89 years, showed that a 12‐month moderate‐intensity aerobic training program failed to lower RPR. It was concluded that larger studies encompassing a longer duration of aerobic training are needed to evaluate whether exercise has the potential to slow RPR, a marker of CV risk, in older persons.…”