Effect of Aerobic Exercise on Blood Pressure Changes

Study Overview
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Brief Summary
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This study will evaluate the effect of an aerobic training program versus a strength training program on the autonomic nervous system at rest and in response to challenge.

Detailed Description
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The purpose of this study is to compare the effectiveness of an aerobic exercise program versus a strength training program in altering RR interval and blood pressure variability as indices of autonomic nervous system regulation of the cardiovascular system. Subjects will be tested at rest and in response to challenge. This study will enroll healthy, young (age 18-45) sedentary individuals at Columbia University Medical Center and St. John's University. At an initial screening visit, potential participants will be screened for exercise activity and will also undergo a test of aerobic capacity. Subjects will be eligible if they are not exercising regularly and do not exceed American Heart Association standards for average fitness (VO2max ≤ 43 and 37 ml/kg/min for men and women respectively). Exclusion criteria include current symptoms of affective disorder, psychosis, or substance abuse, current usage of psychotropic medication, and any medical condition that affected the autonomic nervous system or cardiovascular system. Eligible participants will then be randomly assigned to 12 weeks of either an aerobic conditioning program or a strength training program. At study entry, heart rate, respiratory rate, and blood pressure will be measured; an ECG will be used to measure heart activity. Questionnaires will be completed to assess anger, tension, depression, and fatigue. Participants in the aerobic conditioning program will attend four 1-hour exercise sessions per week, which will focus on increasing cardiovascular fitness through running and other forms of aerobic exercise. The strength training program will also include four sessions per week, with the focus on increasing muscle endurance and strength. At the end of the 12-week programs, participants will begin a 4-week period of deconditioning, during which they will discontinue all exercise. Evaluations will be repeated at the end of the 12-week programs, and at the end of the 4-week deconditioning period.

Official Title
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Psychophysiologic Stress, Exercise, & Autonomic Control

Conditions
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Hypertension, Cardiovascular Diseases

Intervention / Treatment
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* Behavioral: Aerobic Conditioning Program
* Behavioral: Strength Training Program


Participation Criteria
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Eligibility Criteria
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Inclusion Criteria: Average cardiorespiratory fitness level, as defined by the American Heart Association (VO2 max [maximum oxygen consumption] less than 43 ml/kg/min for men and less than 37 ml/kg/min for women) English speaking Ambulatory Sedentary Exclusion Criteria: Use of psychotropic medications Past or current psychiatric disorder Heart disease High blood pressure Diabetes mellitus Neurologic disease

Ages Eligible for Study
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Minimum Age: 18 Years
Maximum Age: 45 Years

Sexes Eligible for Study
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All

Accepts Healthy Volunteers
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Accepts Healthy Volunteers

Study Plan
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How is the study designed?
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Design Details

Primary Purpose: Treatment
Allocation: Randomized
Intervention Model: Parallel Assignment
Masking: Single


Arms and Interventions

| Intervention/Treatment |
| --- |
|Behavioral: Aerobic Conditioning Program|nan|
|Behavioral: Strength Training Program|nan|

What is the study measuring?
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Primary Outcome Measures

| Outcome Measure | Measure Description | Time Frame |
| --- | --- | --- |
| RR inverval (RRV) and blood pressure variability at rest and in response to challenge (measured prior to exercise training and again after training and after sedentary deconditioning). |  |  | 

Secondary Outcome Measures

| Outcome Measure | Measure Description | Time Frame |
| --- | --- | --- |
| Secondary outcome measures include ambulatory blood pressure. |  |  | 

 Terms related to the study
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Keywords Provided by Centre Hospitalier Valida
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Blood Pressure, High