Effect of normobaric hypoxic exercise on blood pressure in old individuals

authored by
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).

External Organisation(s)
Hannover Medical School (MHH)
Heidelberg University
University of Cologne
Type
Article
Journal
European Journal of Applied Physiology
Volume
121
Pages
817-825
No. of pages
9
ISSN
1439-6319
Publication date
03.2021
Publication status
Published
Peer reviewed
Yes
ASJC Scopus subject areas
Orthopedics and Sports Medicine, Public Health, Environmental and Occupational Health, Physiology (medical)
Sustainable Development Goals
SDG 3 - Good Health and Well-being
Electronic version(s)
https://doi.org/10.1007/s00421-020-04572-6 (Access: Open)