Swimming exercise, arterial stiffness, and elevated blood pressure

textAge is the major risk factor for cardiovascular diseases (CVD) and this is attributable in part to stiffening of large elastic arteries and development of vascular endothelial dysfunction. In contrast, regular aerobic exercise is associated with reduced risk of CVD. Swimming is an attractive form of aerobic exercise and always recommended for health promotion as well as prevention and treatment of risk factors for CVD. However, there is little scientific evidence to date indicating that swimming is equally efficacious to land-based exercise modes in reducing cardiovascular risks. Accordingly, the aim of the research was to determine the role of regular swimming exercise on both CVD traditional risk factors and vascular functions. To comprehensively address this aim, 2 different approaches were used: Study 1 (cross-sectional study) was designed to determine the potential benefit of regular swimming exercise in the primary prevention of age-related decreases in vascular function. Key measurements of vascular function were performed in middle-aged and older swimmers, runners, and sedentary controls. Central arterial compliance was higher in swimmers and runners than in sedentary controls. Study 2 (intervention study) was designed to determine whether regular swimming exercise could reverse the age-associated decline in vascular function. Middle-aged and older subjects completed either a 12-week swim training program or relaxation/ stretching exercise (attention control) program. Short-term swim training improved arterial blood pressure and vascular functions. In summary, regular swimming exercise can attenuate reductions in and partially restore the loss of vascular function including central arterial compliance and endothelial function in middle-aged and older adults. Swimming exercise exhibited typical central arterial compliance and endothelial function phenotypes that are often displayed in land-based exercise.Kinesiology and Health Educatio

The Validity and Reliability of the MacNew Heart Disease Health Related Quality of Life Questionnaire: The Indonesian Version

Background: The MacNew heart disease health related quality of life tool is used widely in the cardiac populations to evaluate the impact of disease and intervention including rehabilitation. In addition to the English version, it is also available for several other languages except the Indonesian language. Therefore, the purpose of this study were 1) to translate the MacNew questionnaire from the English version to the Indonesian language and 2) to estimate the preliminary validity and reliability of the Indonesian MacNew for patients with coronary artery disease. Methods: Forward and backward translation procedure was used to develop the Indonesian MacNew. The Indonesian MacNew was administered to 24 patients after one week of revascularization surgery. Reliability was assessed by internal consistency and test-retest reliability. To evaluate concurrent validity, the correlation of the compatible domain of the Indonesian MacNew and SF-36 was assessed. Results: Internal consistency reliability of the Indonesian MacNew was confirmed with Cronbach’s α of the global scale and all three subscales exceeding 0.95. Test- retest reliability was acceptable with intraclass correlation coefficient of 0.66 for the global score. Furthermore, an acceptable concurrent validity was established with statistically significant correlation between Indonesian MacNew and SF-36 (pearson correlation ranging from 0.47 to 0.71). Conclusion: The first results of the Indonesian MacNew indicate acceptable validity and reliability as a measurement tool to assess health related quality of life of Indonesian patients with coronary artery disease

Effects Of Swimming Training On Blood Pressure And Vascular Function In Adults > 50 Years Of Age

Swimming is ideal for older adults because it includes minimum weight-bearing stress and decreased heat load. However, there is very little information available concerning the effects of regular swimming exercise on vascular risks. We determined if regular swimming exercise would decrease arterial blood pressure (BP) and improve vascular function. Forty-three otherwise healthy adults >50 years old (60 +/- 2) with prehypertension or stage 1 hypertension and not on any medication were randomly assigned to 12 weeks of swimming exercise or attention time controls. Before the intervention period there were no significant differences in any of the variables between groups. Body mass, adiposity, and plasma concentrations of glucose and cholesterol did not change in either group throughout the intervention period. Casual systolic BP decreased significantly from 131 +/- 3 to 122 +/- 4 mm Hg in the swimming training group. Significant decreases in systolic BP were also observed in ambulatory (daytime) and central (carotid) BP measurements. Swimming exercise produced a 21% increase in carotid artery compliance (p <0.05). Flow-mediated dilation and cardiovagal baroreflex sensitivity improved after the swim training program (p <0.05). There were no significant changes in any measurements in the control group that performed gentle relaxation exercises. In conclusion, swimming exercise elicits hypotensive effects and improvements in vascular function in previously sedentary older adults. (C) 2012 Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved. (Am J Cardiol 2012;109: 1005-1010)Kinesiology and Health Educatio