Evaluating the seasonal variations in the circulatory dynamics ofcommunity-dwelling older people while exercising outdoors in the earlymorning

摘要

[Purpose] We aimed to evaluate the risk to clarify the seasonal variations in thecirculatory dynamics of community-dwelling older people performing early morning outdoorexercises. [Participants and Methods] This study included 76 community-dwelling olderadults (42 men, mean age: 76.9 ± 5.0 years; 34 women, mean age: 74.0 ± 4.2 years) whoperform early morning exercises. The prevalence of hypertension among these adults wasassessed, and their blood pressure and pulse rate were obtained before and afterperforming a 30-minute exercise using automatic and aneroid type sphygmomanometers whilesitting on a chair. Further, we calculated the double product by multiplying systolicblood pressure and pulse rate. We analyzed the changes in the pre- and post-exercisesystolic blood pressure, diastolic blood pressure, pulse rate, double product, diagnosisof hypertension, and seasonal factors (moderate-temperature season/low-temperatureseason). [Results] Thirty-five participants were assigned in the hypertension diagnosisgroup, while 40 participants were in the non-hypertension group. There was no significantdifference in the mean age between the two groups. The main effects and interactions werenot confirmed in relation to systolic blood pressure, diastolic blood pressure, pulserate, and double product. [Conclusion] Essentially, blood pressure should be obtainedbefore exercise, as individuals with hypertension are more likely to have an increase inbaseline systolic blood pressure while exercising in the early morning during thelow-temperature seasons.