The Impact of Aquatic Exercise Programs on the Intima-Media thickness of the Carotid Arteries, Hemodynamic Parameters, Lipid Profile and Chemokines of Community-Dwelling Older Persons

A Randomized Controlled Trial

Bibliographic Data

ID15463550
AuthorsCarlos Farinha (0000-0001-5794-4916, University of Coimbra, corresponding author), Hélder Santos (0000-0002-2581-5770, Polytechnic Institute of Coimbra), Juan Serrano (0000-0001-5112-4984, Polytechnic Institute of Castelo Branco), Bárbara Oliveiros (0000-0001-7836-8161, University of Coimbra), Fernanda M Silva (0000-0001-8019-0729, University of Coimbra), Marcio Cascante Rusenhack (0000-0001-8573-9047, Universidad de Costa Rica), Ana Teixeira (0000-0002-5777-4192), Ana M Teixeira (0000-0003-1498-949X, University of Coimbra), José Pedro Ferreira (0000-0002-4427-3276, University of Coimbra)
Year2022
Volume19
Issue6
Pages3377-3377
Publication date2022-03-13
Peer ReviewedYes
Open AccessYes
TypeARTICLE
VenueInternational Journal of Environmental Research and Public Health (JOURNAL)
Journal identifiersISSN: 1661-7827 • E-ISSN: 1660-4601
PublisherMultidisciplinary Digital Publishing Institute (PUBLISHER • CH)
DOI10.3390/ijerph19063377
PMID35329066
OpenAlexW4220718363
LanguageEN
References cited38

Scientific evidence has shown that physical exercise is an effective way of improving several cardiovascular disease markers. However, few studies have tested its effectiveness when performed in aquatic environments. The purpose of this study was to test the impact of different aquatic exercise programs on the intima-media thickness of carotid arteries (IMT) and hemodynamic and biochemical markers of cardiovascular diseases in community-dwelling older persons. A total of 102 participants were randomly allocated into four groups: an aerobic exercise group (AerG) ( n = 25, 71.44 ± 4.84 years); an aerobic interval group (IntG) ( n = 28, 72.64 ± 5.22 years); a combined group (ComG) ( n = 29, 71.90 ± 5.67 years); and a control group (CG) ( n = 20, 73.60 ± 5.25 years). The AerG, IntG, and ComG participants took part in three different aquatic exercise programs for 28 weeks. The CG participants maintained their usual routines. All participants were evaluated for IMT, blood pressure, lipid profile, and MCP-1 and MIP-1α chemokines, pre- and post-intervention. Significant differences were found in the AerG for diastolic diameter (DD), in the IntG for peak systolic velocity (PSV), and in the ComG for DD and end-diastolic velocity (EDV). Regarding blood pressure, significant differences were found in AerG for systolic blood pressure (SBP) and diastolic blood pressure (DBP); in IntG for DBP; and in ComG for SBP, DBP, and heart rate (HR). Significant differences were found in the AerG and IntG for glucose (GLU). Lower plasma levels of monocyte chemoattractant protein-1 (MCP-1) and macrophage inflammatory protein (MIP-1α) were found in the AerG and in the ComG for MCP-1 after the intervention. Aquatic physical exercise appears to improve cardiovascular health, regardless of the type of the program adopted. Aerobic programs (combined and continuous aerobic exercises) seemed to have a more beneficial effect in reducing important cardiovascular risk markers

Aerobic exercise · Blood pressure · Cardiology · Cholesterol · Diastole · Heart rate · Hemodynamics · Lipid Profile · Physical therapy · Randomized controlled trial · Blood Pressure and Hypertension Studies · Cardiovascular and exercise physiology · Cardiovascular Health and Disease Prevention · Medicine · Internal Medicine

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