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Effect of “brisk walking” on male elderly with hypertension in community-based health centers

DONG En-hong1, XU Ming2, GUO Li-jun1, BU Jia1, BAO Yong3   

  1. 1. School of Health Information Technology and Management, Shanghai University of Medicine & Health Sciences, Shanghai 201318, China;2. Department of Medical Rehabilitation, Nanmatou Community Health Service Center in Pudong New Area, Shanghai 200125, China;3. School of Public Health, Shanghai Jiao Tong University, Shanghai 200025, China
  • Online:2017-02-28 Published:2017-02-28
  • Supported by:

    Science and Technology Project of Health and Family Planning Commission in Pudong New Area, Shanghai, T140416110453093; Key Disciplines Construction Planning in Three-Year Action Plan of Public Health, Shanghai Municipal Health and Family Planning Commission, [2016]3; Research Grant from Shanghai Municipal Health and Family Planning Commission, 20144Y0117; Key Program for Collaborative Innovation of Shanghai University of Medicine & Health Science, HMC1-16-11-001; Special Construction Project on Connotation Development for Secondary Vocational Schools in 2016, FA1-3903-16-116050

Abstract:

Objective · To explore the effects of “brisk walking” on blood pressure, body mass index (BMI), and autonomic nerve activity of male elderly with hypertension in community-based health centers in Shanghai. Methods · A total of 630 elderly men received “brisk walking” treatment (>10 000 steps/ d) voluntarily, who were selected from six community-based health centers in Pudong New Area of Shanghai. Among them, 210 people stick to training for 12 weeks.According to whether suffering from hypertension, the people were assigned to hypertension intervened group (intervention group, n=110) and normal intervened group (control group 1, n=100). Blood pressure, BMI, heart rate and autonomic nerve activity before and after the training were compared. Results · After 12 weeks of training, systolic blood pressure (SBP), diastolic blood pressure (DBP) and sympathetic nerve activity of intervention group were significantly lower than those before the training (P<0.05). SBP was also significantly lower than control group 2 (P<0.05). However, heart rate, BMI, parasympathetic nerve activity and baroreceptor reflex sensitivity did not change significantly after the training (P>0.05). Conclusion · “Brisk walking” treatment lasting for 12 weeks can decrease blood pressure and sympathetic nerve activity in elderly men with hypertension. It is worthy to be popularized in the community.

Key words:  brisk walking, community, male elderly, primary hypertension, autonomic nerve activity