Taekwondo Training and Postmenopausal Women With Stage-2 Hypertension
| Status: | Completed |
|---|---|
| Conditions: | High Blood Pressure (Hypertension), Women's Studies |
| Therapuetic Areas: | Cardiology / Vascular Diseases, Reproductive |
| Healthy: | No |
| Age Range: | 65 - 85 |
| Updated: | 6/3/2018 |
| Start Date: | May 1, 2017 |
| End Date: | March 1, 2018 |
Taekwondo Training Reduces Blood Catecholamine Levels and Arterial Stiffness in Postmenopausal Women With Stage-2 Hypertension
The major findings from the study are that 12-weeks of Taekwondo training reduced the
elevated blood catecholamine levels and arterial stiffness in post-menopausal women with
stage-2 hypertension. In addition, we found that Taekwondo training was able to reduce
resting heart rate and systolic and diastolic blood pressure. Furthermore, Taekwondo training
was able to increase both hand grip and leg strength, which have been shown to be negatively
correlated with cardiovascular risks. To our knowledge, this is the first study to examine
the beneficial effects of Taekwondo as a therapeutic exercise modality to improve
cardiovascular health and muscular strength in post-menopausal women with stage-2
hypertension.
elevated blood catecholamine levels and arterial stiffness in post-menopausal women with
stage-2 hypertension. In addition, we found that Taekwondo training was able to reduce
resting heart rate and systolic and diastolic blood pressure. Furthermore, Taekwondo training
was able to increase both hand grip and leg strength, which have been shown to be negatively
correlated with cardiovascular risks. To our knowledge, this is the first study to examine
the beneficial effects of Taekwondo as a therapeutic exercise modality to improve
cardiovascular health and muscular strength in post-menopausal women with stage-2
hypertension.
Menopause is associated with an age-related increase in both blood catecholamine levels and
arterial stiffness as well as a decrease in muscular strength, which can collectively
contribute to an increased risk for cardiovascular disease (CVD). This is of particular
importance for postmenopausal women, as epidemiological studies have demonstrated that
postmenopausal women have a greater risk for CVD than that of premenopausal women. Both age
and menopause can increase blood catecholamine levels, specifically epinephrine (EP) and
norepinephrine (NE), which may be result from attenuated autonomic nervous system (ANS)
activity. This impaired ANS activity is thought to play a role in the pathogenesis of CVD, as
higher catecholamine levels have been observed in patients with CVD, such as older
individuals with hypertension, including postmenopausal, hypertensive women.
Elevated pulse wave velocity (PWV), an index of arterial stiffness, is one of the major risk
factors of atherosclerosis, hypertension and heart diseases, and is commonly observed in
post-menopausal women. In fact, an increase of only 1 m/s in PWV was found to be associated
with a 12% increase in the risk of cardiovascular events in adults with high CVD risk. An
elevated PWV is also associated with muscle mass and strength loss in older adults. Indeed,
several studies have shown that sarcopenia is inversely associated with PWV, and this
relationship has been shown to be greater in women than in men. Moreover, muscle strength is
believed to have a protective effect against arterial stiffness and hypertension, which
suggests that improvements in muscle strength could lead to cardiovascular benefits and
improved overall health.
Therefore, there is a need to reverse the increased blood catecholamine levels and arterial
stiffness, as well as the reduced muscle strength and mass, experienced in post-menopausal
women with hypertension. Exercise training has been utilized to achieve this, as both aerobic
and resistance exercise has been shown to protect against age-related cardiovascular disease
risk factors, including increased blood catecholamine levels, arterial stiffness, high blood
pressure and loss of muscle strength. Taekwondo may be a useful mode of exercise for this
population as it can be conducted at various intensities, incorporates both aerobic and
resistance training components and may improve strength, motor coordination, and
cardiovascular health. Additionally, Taekwondo is an enjoyable exercise modality that may
increase exercise program adherence in elderly people. However, there are no studies to our
knowledge that examine the effects of Taekwondo training on these parameters. Thus, the
purpose of this study was to examine the effects of a 12-week Taekwondo training program on
blood catecholamine levels, arterial stiffness, blood pressure and muscular strength in
postmenopausal women with stage-2 hypertension.
arterial stiffness as well as a decrease in muscular strength, which can collectively
contribute to an increased risk for cardiovascular disease (CVD). This is of particular
importance for postmenopausal women, as epidemiological studies have demonstrated that
postmenopausal women have a greater risk for CVD than that of premenopausal women. Both age
and menopause can increase blood catecholamine levels, specifically epinephrine (EP) and
norepinephrine (NE), which may be result from attenuated autonomic nervous system (ANS)
activity. This impaired ANS activity is thought to play a role in the pathogenesis of CVD, as
higher catecholamine levels have been observed in patients with CVD, such as older
individuals with hypertension, including postmenopausal, hypertensive women.
Elevated pulse wave velocity (PWV), an index of arterial stiffness, is one of the major risk
factors of atherosclerosis, hypertension and heart diseases, and is commonly observed in
post-menopausal women. In fact, an increase of only 1 m/s in PWV was found to be associated
with a 12% increase in the risk of cardiovascular events in adults with high CVD risk. An
elevated PWV is also associated with muscle mass and strength loss in older adults. Indeed,
several studies have shown that sarcopenia is inversely associated with PWV, and this
relationship has been shown to be greater in women than in men. Moreover, muscle strength is
believed to have a protective effect against arterial stiffness and hypertension, which
suggests that improvements in muscle strength could lead to cardiovascular benefits and
improved overall health.
Therefore, there is a need to reverse the increased blood catecholamine levels and arterial
stiffness, as well as the reduced muscle strength and mass, experienced in post-menopausal
women with hypertension. Exercise training has been utilized to achieve this, as both aerobic
and resistance exercise has been shown to protect against age-related cardiovascular disease
risk factors, including increased blood catecholamine levels, arterial stiffness, high blood
pressure and loss of muscle strength. Taekwondo may be a useful mode of exercise for this
population as it can be conducted at various intensities, incorporates both aerobic and
resistance training components and may improve strength, motor coordination, and
cardiovascular health. Additionally, Taekwondo is an enjoyable exercise modality that may
increase exercise program adherence in elderly people. However, there are no studies to our
knowledge that examine the effects of Taekwondo training on these parameters. Thus, the
purpose of this study was to examine the effects of a 12-week Taekwondo training program on
blood catecholamine levels, arterial stiffness, blood pressure and muscular strength in
postmenopausal women with stage-2 hypertension.
Inclusion Criteria:
- Be diagnosed with stage-2 hypertension
- Be postmenopausal
- Be between 65 and 85 years old
Exclusion Criteria:
- Known cardiovascular, metabolic or renal diseases
- Physical limitations that prohibit exercise
- Participates in regular exercise
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