The influence of systematic pulse-limited physical exercise on the parameters of the cardiovascular system in patients over 65 years of age

Abstract

IntroductionThe influence of physical exercise on the parameters of the cardiovascular system of elderly persons has not been sufficiently investigated yet. The aim of the study was to assess the influence of regular 6-week physical exercise using the Nordic walking (NW) method in a group of elderly persons on their physical performance and regulation of selected parameters assessing the cardiovascular system.Material and methodsFifty patients over 65 years of age participated in the study. The study encompassed: medical interview, physical examination, resting ECG, spiroergometry examination, 6MWT (6-minute walk test) and 24-hour ambulatory blood pressure monitoring (ABPM). During the exercise programme, the pulse was monitored using pulsometers. After the completion of the training, check-up tests assessing the same parameters were performed. The control group consisted of 18 persons over 65 years of age with similar cardiovascular problems.ResultsIn the test group, duration of the physical effort increased by 1.02 min (p = 0.0001), the maximum load increased by 10.68 W (p = 0.0001), values of VO2max by 2.10 (p = 0.0218), distance improved in 6MWT by 75.04 m (p = 0.00001), systolic blood pressure decreased by 5.50 mm Hg (p = 0.035) and diastolic blood pressure by 3.50 mm Hg (p = 0.054) as compared to the control group.ConclusionsSystematic NW physical exercise limited by the pulse had a beneficial effect on the physical performance of elderly persons as assessed with main parameters. A short 6-week programme of endurance exercises had a hypotensive effect in elderly persons over 65 years of age.

Effects of 12 weeks of Nordic Walking and XCO Walking training on the endurance capacity of older adults

“…Furthermore, this study consisted of 4 weeks of technical instruction training and 12 weeks of endurance training, resulting in a total intervention duration of 16 weeks. Compared with other studies [ 20 , 22 , 33 ] in this field, it is one of the longest intervention periods. The intervention design of this study is similar to the recommendations by Skorkowska-Telichowska et al in their review, who suggest NW with professional trainers 2–3 times a week over at least 3 months.…”

“…In addition, most of the NW studies had measurements in laboratory set-ups, although NW is an outdoor endurance training form. For example, two intervention studies with NW were conducted for 50 min, three times a week, for 6 weeks [ 20 ] and 40 min, four times a week, for 13 weeks [ 22 ]. Chomiuk et al [ 20 ] showed, for example, higher oxygen uptake values after their NW training intervention with patients over 65 years of age compared to an inactive control group.…”

“…For example, two intervention studies with NW were conducted for 50 min, three times a week, for 6 weeks [ 20 ] and 40 min, four times a week, for 13 weeks [ 22 ]. Chomiuk et al [ 20 ] showed, for example, higher oxygen uptake values after their NW training intervention with patients over 65 years of age compared to an inactive control group. Kukkonen-Harjula et al [ 22 ] compared Walking (W) with and without poles and demonstrated similar reductions of heart rates and lactate concentrations in both groups with women aged 50 to 60 years.…”

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“…Siekiant atgauti sutrikusias organizmo funkcijas, fizines reabilitacijos priemones po ūminių koronarinių ligų rekomenduojama skirti kaip galima anksčiau. Kineziterapija yra viena svarbiausių reabilitacijos programos komponentų, taikomų ligoniams po miokardo infarkto antruoju reabilitacijos etapu (Chomiuk, 2013). Fizinio aktyvumo atgavi-mas pamažu skatina ligonių grįžimą į aktyvų kasdienį gyvenimą (Breyer et al, 2010).…”

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“…What should the threshold and goals be for untreated SBP between 120 and 140 mm Hg? Finally, because of a higher incidence of hypotension, syncope, electrolyte abnormalities, and acute kidney injury or failure in patients treated to a SBP less than 120 mm Hg, these patients will require more intensive monitoring for serious adverse events with an increased cost of care [119][120][121][122].…”