PURPOSE: To evaluate the effects of the association of resistive and aerobic exercises training on cardiovascular responses in elderly. METHODS: Eleven subjects (both genders, 70 ± 5 years) performed twice a week walking and resistive exercises for lower body muscle groups for twelve weeks. The variables were measured before; each four weeks during training and four weeks detraining by six minute walk test, blood pressure (BP) and heart rate (HR) before, immediately after, five and ten minutes after the test. Results were compared by Wilcoxon (p ≤ 0.05). RESULTS: Four weeks training induced reduction of systolic and diastolic BP at resting (120 ± 16 mmHg vs. 138 ± 20 mmHg, p = 0.01; 70 ± 9 mmHg vs. 84 ± 10 mmHg, p = 0.007, respectively) and diminished diastolic BP immediately after the test (78 ± 12 mmHg vs. 86 ± 9 mmHg, p = 0.01) and it was maintained even after 10min of sub maximal effort, compared before training. After 12 weeks training was found an increase in walking distance (555 ± 65m vs. 514 ± 100m, p = 0.04) in comparison to pre training and HR was equal to resting values 10min after the test. CONCLUSION: The aerobic exercise associated to resistance training for four weeks provoked cardiovascular adaptations efficient to reduce systolic and diastolic BP. After 12 weeks it was observed an augment of walking resistance and restoration of HR resting values. Even one month detraining the benefits were maintained, except HR.
Muscle strength; Physical fitness; Blood pressure; Heart rate
