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

Carlos Farinha, Hélder Santos, João Serrano, Bárbara Oliveiros, Fernanda M. Silva, Márcio Cascante-Rusenhack, Ana Maria Teixeira and José Pedro Ferreira
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Carlos Farinha: Research Unit for Sport and Physical Activity, CIDAF, UID/PTD/04213/2019, University of Coimbra, 3040-248 Coimbra, Portugal
Hélder Santos: Coimbra School of Health Technology-IPC, 3046-854 Coimbra, Portugal
João Serrano: Sport, Health & Exercise Research Unit (SHERU), Polytechnic Institute of Castelo Branco, 6000-266 Castelo Branco, Portugal
Bárbara Oliveiros: Faculty of Medicine, University of Coimbra, 3000-370 Coimbra, Portugal
Fernanda M. Silva: Research Unit for Sport and Physical Activity, CIDAF, UID/PTD/04213/2019, University of Coimbra, 3040-248 Coimbra, Portugal
Márcio Cascante-Rusenhack: Research Unit for Sport and Physical Activity, CIDAF, UID/PTD/04213/2019, University of Coimbra, 3040-248 Coimbra, Portugal
Ana Maria Teixeira: Research Unit for Sport and Physical Activity, CIDAF, UID/PTD/04213/2019, University of Coimbra, 3040-248 Coimbra, Portugal
José Pedro Ferreira: Research Unit for Sport and Physical Activity, CIDAF, UID/PTD/04213/2019, University of Coimbra, 3040-248 Coimbra, Portugal

IJERPH, 2022, vol. 19, issue 6, 1-17

Abstract: 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.

Keywords: physical exercise; aquatic environment; hydrogymnastics; ageing; intima-media thickness of the carotid arteries; hemodynamic parameters; blood pressure; lipid profile; MDP-1?; MCP-1 (search for similar items in EconPapers)
JEL-codes: I I1 I3 Q Q5 (search for similar items in EconPapers)
Date: 2022
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