Resistance Plus Aerobic Training Using Different Weekly Frequencies And Hypertension (RADAH)

Comparison of Different Weekly Frequencies of Combined Training on Ambulatory Blood Pressure and Other Cardiovascular Risk Factors in Individuals With Hypertension: a Randomized Clinical Trial

Combined training is a cornerstone intervention to improve functionality and to reduce blood pressure in older adults with hypertension. Acute blood pressure lowering after exercise seems to predict the extent of blood pressure reduction after chronic training interventions. Based on that, the same weekly amount of exercise performed more frequently could be more beneficial to blood pressure management. The aim of the present study is to evaluate the effects of a combined exercise program performed four versus two times per week on 24-h ambulatory blood pressure and other cardiovascular risk factors in older individuals with hypertension.

Chronic blood pressure reduction due regular exercise seems to result from the sum of the acute decreases that follows each exercise bout (i.e., post-exercise hypotension), a physiological effect associated with chronic blood pressure reduction that may predict the extent of blood pressure lowering after chronic training interventions. Based on this, the same weekly amount of exercise performed more frequently, splitting the total overload into multiple sessions, could be more beneficial for blood pressure control. Although physical exercise guidelines suggest a total weekly volume in minutes (i.e., 150 minutes per week), it's unclear if the same amount of exercise performed in different weekly frequencies could induce different blood pressure responses. In addition, other important cardiovascular risk factors such as glycemic levels can also be influenced by exercise frequency. Reduction in glycosylated hemoglobin is associated with exercise frequency in diabetic patients, reinforcing the relevance to compare exercise interventions using different weekly training frequencies. The aim of the present study is to evaluate the effects of a combined exercise program performed four versus two times per week on 24-h ambulatory blood pressure and other cardiovascular risk factors in middle-aged and older individuals with hypertension. The main outcome is the change from baseline to 12 weeks of follow-up in 24-h, daytime, nighttime systolic and diastolic ambulatory blood pressure, and glycosylated hemoglobin between the intervention groups. Secondary outcomes are the difference between mean change in endothelial function, as well as cardiorespiratory fitness, muscular strength and quality of life. We anticipate that at 12 weeks, combined exercise program, performed four or two times per week with equalized weekly volume/overload, will improve all outcomes in comparison to the baseline values and these improvements in blood pressure and glycosylated hemoglobin will be more pronounced in four times per week group when compared with two times per week group. This study will be a randomized, parallel group, two-arm, superiority trial. Ninety-eight participants aged 50-80 years with a previous physician diagnosis of hypertension will be randomized to perform two or four sessions per week of combined training using the same total weekly overload. Primary outcomes will be 24-h ambulatory blood pressure and glycosylated hemoglobin; secondary outcomes will be endothelial function, physical fitness and quality of life. The outcomes will be assessed at baseline and at the end of 12 weeks period.

The CT4 group will perform four sessions per week of combined exercise program. This intervention will last 12 weeks.

The CT2 group will perform two sessions per week of combined exercise program. This intervention will last 12 weeks.

CT4 will perform four combined training sessions per week throughout 12 weeks. Each session will be composed 10-15 minutes of resistance exercise (1-4 sets of 10-15 repetitions, using an intensity corresponding to 50-70%1RM in 3 exercises) followed by 20-25 minutes of aerobic exercise (walking or running at an intensity corresponding to 60-70% of VO2peak).

CT2 will perform two combined training sessions per week throughout 12 weeks. Each session will be composed 20-30 minutes of resistance exercise (1-4 sets of 10-15 repetitions, using an intensity corresponding to 50-70%1RM in 6 exercises) followed by 40-50 minutes of aerobic exercise (walking or running at an intensity corresponding to 60-70% of VO2peak).

Glycohemoglobin in A1C percentual measured through a venous blood sample using a high performance liquid chromatography method

World Health Organization Quality of Life questionnaire (WHOQOL-BREF) contains 26 questions using a likert scale (scores range 1 to 5) and has been stratified in 4 domains (physical health, psychological, social relationships and environment). Higher scores mean a better outcome.

Inclusion Criteria: Office blood pressure between 130-179 and 80-110 mmHg for systolic and diastolic blood pressure, respectively or taking at least one antihypertensive medication Not engaged in structured exercise programs (3 or more times per week) in the last 3 months before the study Exclusion Criteria: Physical and muscular injuries that limit to accomplishment of the different training proposed in the study Underlying cardiovascular disease in the last 24 months such as acute myocardial infarction, angina, stroke or heart failure Health conditions that limit physical exercise perform, such as lung disease, valvar heart disease, renal failure Diseases that reduce life expectancy BMI > 39.9 kg/m² Diabetic proliferative retinopathy