Exercise intensity modulates nitric oxide and blood pressure responses in hypertensive older women

Conselho Nacional de Desenvolvimento Científico e Tecnológico (CNPq)Background and aims physical activity can better promote the release of nitric oxide (NO) and reduction of blood pressure in hypertensive older-adults is still unknown. In this study, the post-exercise blood pressure (BP) response and NO release after different intensities of aerobic exercise in elderly women were analyzed. Methods Blood pressure response and NO were analyzed in 23 elderly mildly hypertensive women. Participants underwent (1) high-intensity incremental exercise (IT); (2) moderate-intensity 20 min exercise at 90 % of the anaerobic threshold (AT), and (3) control (CONT) session. BP was measured before and after interventions; volunteers remained seated for 1 h. NO estimates were made through NO2- analyses. Results After CONT session, both diastolic BP and mean arterial pressure (MAP) were significantly higher than during pre-exercise resting. Post-exercise hypotension (PEH) was observed after exercise at IT and 90 % of AT. Although exercise in both sessions lowered SBP and MAP compared with CONT, exercise at the highest intensity (IT) was more effective on lowering systolic BP after exercise. In comparison with pre-exercise resting, NO2- increased significantly only after IT, but both exercise sessions caused NO2- to increase compared with CONT. Conclusion Exercise intensity and NO release may exert a role in eliciting PEH in mildly hypertensive elderly women.2514348Conselho Nacional de Desenvolvimento Científico e Tecnológico (CNPq)Conselho Nacional de Desenvolvimento Científico e Tecnológico (CNPq)CNPq [484318/2006-3, 478946/2008-2

Editor-in-Chief Editor-in-Chief JEPonline Influence of the I/D Polymorphism of the Angiotensin Converting Enzyme Gene and Acute Aerobic Exercise in the Ambulatory Arterial Stiffness Index of Elderly Women

ABSTRACT (5) :1-9. Acute bouts of exercise can reduce arterial stiffness in elderly, but the effect of exercise seems to be influenced by genetic factors. The aim of this study was to verify the influence of the angiotensin converting enzyme (ACE) gene's insertion/deletion polymorphism and acute aerobic exercise in the ambulatory arterial stiffness index (AASI) of elderly women. Twenty-five elderly women (70.9 ± 6.1 yrs; 25.2 ± 2.7 kg/m 2 ), previously genotyped for the ACE gene's I/D polymorphism, participated in this study. The volunteers were submitted to an incremental test to identify anaerobic threshold (AT). Afterwards, they underwent two sessions: a 90% AT Session and a Control Session. The AASI was measured during the 24 hrs after the sessions. In conclusion, exercise performed at 90% AT reduced arterial stiffness of the elderly subjects', especially carriers of the D/D ACE gene genotype