Effects of Multicomponent and Multiprofessional Interventions on Cardiovascular and Functional Health in Hypertensive and Normotensive Older Women: A Case Study

TL;DR

This study shows that a combination of training and professional support improves heart health and physical function in older women with and without high blood pressure.

Contribution

The study demonstrates the effectiveness of multicomponent and multiprofessional interventions in improving cardiovascular and functional health in older women.

Findings

Significant decreases in systolic and diastolic blood pressure were observed in both hypertensive and normotensive women.

Hypertensive women showed significant improvements in fasting glucose, cholesterol, and physical performance tests.

Both groups improved in physical performance measures like arm curl and chair stand tests.

Abstract

Background/Objectives: This study aimed to examine the effects of changes over time during multicomponent training (MCT) combined with multiprofessional interventions at different time points [baseline (T0), 12 weeks (T1), 24 weeks (T2) and 36 weeks (T3)] on body composition; blood pressure (SBP and DBP); biomarkers [fasting glucose, total cholesterol, high-density lipoprotein (HDL-c), low-density lipoprotein (LDL-c), and triglycerides]; and physical improvement [maximal isometric handgrip strength (MIHS), arm curl, 30 s chair stand, six-minute walk test (6MWT), and timed up-and-go (TUG)] in hypertensive and normotensive older women. Methods: This longitudinal and experimental study was conducted in hypertensive (n = 23, mean age 69.7 ± 7.21 years) and normotensive (n = 17, mean age 71.3 ± 5.92 years) older women, with three 90 min sessions per week for 36 weeks, including 60 min of MCT, 30 min of nutritional education (twice a week) and 30 min of psychoeducation (once a week). Results: Significant decreases in SBP at T1 and T3 and DBP at T3 were detected in both groups, and only SBP at T2 was detected in normotensive women (p < 0.05). Significant reductions in fasting glucose at T1-T2-T3 and LDL-c and total cholesterol at T3 and triglycerides at T2 were detected in hypertensive patients (p < 0.05). Significant improvements in arm curl at T1 and the 30 s chair stand at T1–T3 were observed for both groups, and improvements at T2–T3 were detected only in hypertensive patients (p < 0.05). Conclusions: MCT and multiprofessional interventions improve blood pressure, biomarkers and physical improvement in hypertensive and normotensive older women.

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