Resumo:
Purpose: This study analyzed systemic blood pressure (BP) and cardiac autonomic modulation
(CAM) acute responses in hypertensive older adult women underwent Plyometric Exercise.
Sample: A BP analysis was conducted on ten women at the age of 68,30 ± 4,64 years. The heart
rate variability (HRV) was analyzed in eight women at the age of 67,38 ± 4,50 years. All the
volunteers were hypertensive and physically active. Methods: A randomized clinical trial with
a crossover design and an intervention using Plyometric Exercise (PE) and Control (C) was
conducted. The interventions had at least 48 to 72 hours of interval between each. The PE
intervention consisted of three exercises for the upper limbs and three for the lower limbs. The
BP and the HRV were monitored before the PE and C every 15 minutes for up to 60 minutes
afterward. Results: For SBP, effects were observed for the intervention (p < 0,02) and time (p
< 0,01) factors, with the moment post-60 minutes showing higher values than the moment pre
(p < 0,01). For DBP and MBP, there was an effect for the time factor (p < 0,01), with an increase
in values at the moments, post-15, post-45, and post-60 minutes compared to the pre-moment.
When performing C for DBP, a large Effect Size (Cohen's d) occurred in the moments pre vs.
post-60 minutes (d = 1,17). When performing C, it was possible to observe a large Effect Size
for MBP in the post-60 min vs. pre-comparisons (d = 1,06). The comparisons made for DBP
and MBP showed an uncertain Effect Size when performing the PE. For HRV, no difference
appeared in the intervention factor (p > 0,05). No significant difference was found in the time
factor for the PE either (p > 0.05). For C, however, the Mean HR showed lower values at the
60-minute post-moment when compared to the pre-moment (p = 0,01). SDNN and SD2 differed
when comparing the post-45 and post-60 minute moments with the pre-moment (p < 0,01).
Conclusion: Based on the results, it is possible to conclude that a PE session does not lead to
post-exercise hypotension (PEH), nor does it modify the HRV rates in hypertensive, physically
active older adult women. However, it can mitigate the BP increase compared to a control
condition.
