A 12-week resistance training program elicits positive changes in hemodynamic responses in the elderly Un programa de ejercicio contra resistencia estimula cambios positivos en la respuesta hemodinámica en adultos mayores

The aim of the study was to determine the effect of a resistance training program in hemodynamic responses and adaptations in 60 yr. old elderly. Volunteers were 60 healthy-elderly who underwent a training program 3 times/wk. for 12 wk. Participants were randomly assigned to either a control group, an exercise group who trained at 30% intensity of 5 maximal repetitions (5RM) (30% of 5RM) or an exercise group at an intensity of 70% (70% of 5RM). Hemodynamic variables measured were mean arterial pressure (MAP), calculated before and immediately after the training session, and rate pressure product (RPP), estimated once a month and before and after finishing the program. Results indicated that resistance exercise training at 30% and 70% of 5RM, with a total exercise work of 872.7 and 890.9 kg did not elicited cardiovascular risks for the elderly. A 12-wk resistance exercise training reduced the cardiovascular strain as shown by the RPP (~16%) and the MAP (~9%), with no adverse effects throughout the program. Unfortunately, all the hemodynamic benefits were reverted 6 days following completion of the program. In conclusion, a healthy elderly population must perform resistance training exercises to significantly reduce the cardiovascular stress. We suggest to conduct further research that looks into different exercise intensities in longer program duration and to determine the mechanisms responsible for the deleterious effects of the detraining by using physiological, biochemical and biomechanical variables. El propósito del estudio fue determinar el efecto de un programa de ejercicios contra resistencia en las respuestas y adaptaciones hemodinámicas de adultos mayores de 60 a os. Se reclutaron 60 adultos mayores sanos, quienes ejecutaron un programa de entrenamiento de 3 sesiones semanales durante 12 semanas. Los participantes fueron asignados aleatoriamente a un grupo control, a un grupo que se ejercitó al 30% de 5 repeticiones máximas (5RM) o a un grupo que se ejercitó al 70% de 5RM. Las variables hemodinámicas fueron la presión arterial media (PAM), la cual fue calculada antes e inmediatamente después de realizar el ejercicio, y el doble producto (DP), que se determinó una vez cada 4 semanas durante el programa y también antes y después de finalizado el mismo. Los resultados mostraron que el ejercicio contra resistencia al 30% y 70% de 5RM, con una carga total de ejercicio entre 872.7 y 890.9 kg, respectivamente, no presenta niveles de riesgo cardiovascular. Se observó que el programa de 12 semanas de entrenamiento contra resistencia reduce el grado de e