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Research: BOWMAN and colleagues, De
Listed in Issue 28
Abstract
BOWMAN and colleagues, Department of Pharmacological Sciences, University Newcastle upon Tyne UK studied the effects of aerobic exercise training and yoga (non-aerobic) upon the baroreflex (reflex system regulating blood pressure) in elderly people. @m:METHODS: 26 sedentary, healthy, normotensive elderly people (10 women) aged 62-81 years were studied. 14 people (4 women) completed 6 weeks of aerobic training; the other 12 (6 women) completed 6 weeks of yoga. (Blood pressure reflex sensitivity was quantified using the alpha-index at high frequency (HF), reflecting parasympathetic activity, and mid-frequency (MF) reflecting sympathetic activity. These measures were derived from spectral and cross-spectral analysis of spontaneous fluctuations in heart rate and blood pressure. @r: Heart rate decreased in the yoga group but not in the aerobic group. VO2 max increased by 11% in the yoga group and 24% in the aerobic group. Compared to the aerobic group in which there were no significant changes in either alpha MF or alpha HF, in the yoga group, alpha HF but not alpha MF increased. @c:CONCLUSIONS: 1) Short-duration aerobic training does not modify the alpha-index at alpha MF or alpha HF in healthy normotensive elderly people; 2) Alpha HF but not alpha MF increased following yoga; 3) Heart rate decreased following yoga but not aerobic exercise. The above research suggests that the parameters measured are quantifying distinct aspects of the blood pressure reflex system which are separately modifiable.
Background
Methodology
Results
Conclusion
References
Bowman AJ et al. Effects of aerobic exercise training and yoga on the baroreflex in healthy elderly persons. Eur J Clin Invest 27(5): 443-9. May 1997.
