Background: Concurrent training (CT) has been recommended to minimize the deleterious effects of aging. However, few studies have investigated whether this type of training reduces blood pressure in the elderly. Therefore, our objective was to evaluate the effects of CT on the hemodynamic, cardiorespiratory, and muscle strength responses in medicated hypertensive patients.
Methods: Twenty-three hypertensives (62.65 ± 6.4 years) of both sexes were allocated to the concurrent training group (CTG) or control group (CG). The CTG performed aerobic training (70-85% of reserve heart rate) combined with resistance training with elastic tubes (2sets × 15 repetitions) for 8 weeks. Resting blood pressure (BP), peak oxygen consumption (VO2peak), and right knee and elbow flexion strength were evaluated.
Results: A reduction of 6.37% was observed in BP and increases of 16.68% in VO2peak and 16% in muscle strength for right elbow flexion in the CTG compared to CG (p < .05). Intragroup comparisons showed reduction of 5% for BP, and increases of 6.79% for VO2peak, 24.79% for elbow flexion, and 16.47% for knee flexion in the CTG (p < .05), without significant improvement in the CG.
Conclusion: CT promoted a reduction in BP, and increased cardiorespiratory fitness and muscular strength of the upper limbs in the hypertensive older adults.