Effects of Recreational Swimming on Blood Pressure and Lower Extremity Muscle Strength of Older Adults With Elevated Blood Pressure: A Sample of Altınova Beachgoers

Abstract

This study aimed to investigate the effects of recreational swimming (RS) on blood pressure (BP) and lower extremity muscle strength (LEMS) in older adults with elevated blood pressure (EBP). A total of 44 elderly people, 21 men (x̄age=70.6 years, sd= 1.07; body mass index (BMI)=27.4 kg/m2, sd=0.67) and 23 women (x̄age=70.2 years, sd=1.15; BMI=28.6 kg/m2, sd=0.92) participated in the study. Participants were reached by snowball sampling method. Data were collected using a semi-automated BP monitor and Chair Stand Test. Analyses were performed using mixed-design ANOVA with a significance level of p<.05. There was a significant difference between groups [F (2,84)=16.59, p<.001, η²p=.028] and times [F (2,84)=3.55, p<.033, η²p=.080] in systolic blood pressure (SBP). There was significant difference between groups [F (1,42)=24.48, p<.001, η²p=.368] in diastolic blood pressure (DBP). There was a statistically significant difference between groups [F (1,42)=28.68, p<.001, η²p=.041] in mean blood pressure (MBP). There was a statistically significant difference between groups and times [F (1,42)=4.2, p<.046, η²p=.96; F (1,84)=87.1, p<.001, η²p=.96, respectively] in LEMS. There was a significant difference between times [F (2,84)=26.6, p<.001, η²p=.1] in BMI. There was a statistically significant difference between groups, time and group*time interaction [F (1,42)=18.53, p<.001, η²p=.03; F (2,84) =29.35, p<.001, η²p=.04; F (2,84)=4.59, p<.013, η²p=.099, respectively] in rating of perceived exertion. RS in a blue ecological environment is thought to provide positive improvements in BP and LEMS values of older adults with EBP and to have a cumulative effect on metabolic safety and the quality of the aging process

Keywords

• Blue exercise
• Elevated blood pressure
• Geriatrics
• Metabolic safety

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