Blood Pressure Control at Rest and during Exercise in Obese Children and Adults

The hemodynamic responses to exercise have been studied to a great extent over the past decades, and an exaggerated blood pressure response during an acute exercise bout has been considered as an indicator of cardiovascular risk. Obesity is a major factor influencing the blood pressure response to exercise since evidence indicates that the arterial pressure response to exercise is exacerbated in obese compared with lean adults. Signs of augmented responses (such as an exaggerated blood pressure response) to physical exertion appear early in life (from the prepubertal years) in obese individuals. Understanding the mechanisms that drive the altered hemodynamic responses during exercise in obese individuals and prevent the progression to hypertension is vitally important. This paper focuses on the evidence linking obesity with alterations of the autonomic nervous system and discusses the potential mechanisms and consequences of the altered sympathetic nervous system behavior in obese individuals at rest and during exercise. Furthermore, this paper presents the alterations in the reflex regulatory mechanisms (“exercise pressor reflex” and baroreflex) in obese children and adults and addresses the effects of training on obesity-related disturbances

Impact of the Level of Adherence to the DASH Diet on Blood Pressure: A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis

Introduction: the objective of our study was to systematically review the current literature and perform a meta-analysis to evaluate the effect of the level of adherence to the DASH diet on blood pressure. Methods: The identification of relevant studies, data extraction and critical appraisal of the included studies were performed independently by two reviewers. A random-effects model was employed to synthesize the available evidence using the standardized mean difference (SMD) as the appropriate effect size. Results: A total of 37 and 29 articles were included in the qualitative and quantitative analysis, respectively. The pooled effect for systolic blood pressure was SMD = −0.18 (95%CI: −0.32 to −0.04; I2 = 94%; PI: −0.93 to 0.57) and for diastolic blood pressure it was SMD = −0.13 (95%CI: −0.19 to −0.06; I2 = 94%; PI: −0.42 to 0.17). Conclusions: Our findings showed that greater adherence to the DASH diet has a beneficial effect on blood pressure compared to the lowest adherence. Increased compliance with DASH diet recommendations might also have a positive effect on cardiometabolic factors and overall health status. Future studies should aim to standardize the tools of adherence to the DASH diet and utilize rigorous study designs to establish a clearer understanding of the potential benefits of the level of adherence to the DASH diet in blood pressure management

The effect of muscle blood flow restriction on hemodynamics, cerebral oxygenation and activation at rest

This study tested the hypothesis that muscle blood flow restriction reduces muscle and cerebral oxygenation, at rest. In 26 healthy males, aged 332 yrs, physiological variables were continuously recorded during a 10-min period in two experimental conditions: a) with muscle blood flow restriction through thigh cuffs application inflated at 120 mmHg (With Cuffs, WC) and b) without restriction (No Cuffs, NC). Muscle and cerebral oxygenation were reduced by muscle blood flow restriction as suggested by the increase in both muscle and cerebral deoxygenated hemoglobin (Δ[HHb]; pThe accepted manuscript in pdf format is listed with the files at the bottom of this page. The presentation of the authors' names and (or) special characters in the title of the manuscript may differ slightly between what is listed on this page and what is listed in the pdf file of the accepted manuscript; that in the pdf file of the accepted manuscript is what was submitted by the author

An isoenergetic high-protein, moderate-fat diet does not compromise strength and fatigue during resistance exercise in women

Resistance exercise is recommended to individuals following high-protein diets in order to augment changes in body composition. However, alterations in macronutrient composition may compromise physical performance. The present study investigated the effects of an isoenergetic high-protein diet on upper and lower limb strength and fatigue during high-intensity resistance exercise. Ten recreationally active women, aged 25-40 years, followed a control diet (55, 15 and 30% of energy from carbohydrate, protein and fat, respectively) and a high-protein diet (respective values, 30, 40 and 30) for 7d each in a random counterbalanced design. Each participant underwent strength testing of upper limb (isometric handgrip strength and endurance) and lower limb (four sets of sixteen maximal knee flexions and extensions on an isokinetic dynamometer) before and after applying each diet. Body weight, body fat and RER were significantly reduced following the high-protein diet (P<0.05). No differences were found between diets in any of the strength performance parameters (hand.-rip strength, handgrip endurance, peak torque, total work and fatigue) or the responses of heart rate, systolic and diastolic arterial pressure, blood lactate and blood glucose to exercise. Women on a short-term isoenergetic high-protein, moderate-fat diet maintained muscular strength and endurance of upper and lower limbs during high-intensity resistance exercise without experiencing fatigue earlier compared with a control diet

P150 Study of Heamodynamic and Macrocirculation Indices Between Uncontrolled Naïve Hypertensives and Well Controlled Diabetic Patients

Abstract Introduction Both Type II Diabetes mellitus (DM) and hypertension have been associated with an increased risk for cardiovascular disease and linked to impairments in micro- and macrocirculation. However, previous studies examining micro-and macrocirculation in DM mainly include patients with comorbid hypertension. Therefore, the aim of the study was to compare hemodynamic and vascular indices in DM and non-DM patients, independently of their hypertension status. Materials and Methods Fifty-seven DM patients and 79 non-DM participants were enrolled. Participants underwent physical examination, ambulatory BP monitoring and estimation of pulse wave velocity (PWV) and intima-media thickness (IMT). Resting hemodynamic parameters were assessed by impedance cardiography. Participants also performed a 3-min-submaximal isometric handgrip (30% MVC) with continuous beat-by-beat BP/HR assessment (Finapress). The double product (DP = systolic blood pressure* heart rate) during HG was calculated, as an index of myocardial stress. Results No differences were observed in age, BMI, and resting BP among groups. Patients with DM had significantly higher PWV and IMT (p < 0.01) but lower velocity (VI) and acceleration index (ACI) compared to non-DM individuals (p < 0.05). Hypertensives had significantly higher myocardial stress during exercise compared to normotensives, independently of the presence of diabetes. Conclusion Despite similar blood pressure levels in DM and non-DM groups, the DM patients had higher PWV and IMT than non-DM participants. There were no differences between patients with isolated adequately controlled DM or isolated hypertension in macrocirculation indices, suggesting a possible equal impact of the above diseases on the macrovascular network