The Effects of Stair Climbing on Arterial Stiffness, Blood Pressure and Leg Strength in Stage-1 Postmenopausal Women

Study Overview
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Brief Summary
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We used a parallel experimental design. Following an initial screening and familiarization session of study tests and procedures, eligible postmenopausal women were randomly assigned to a stair climbing (SC) group or non-exercising control group. SC training session was progressive program, and was performed 4 days a week for 12 weeks. Measurements were collected at baseline and after 12 weeks during the same time of day (±1 hour) in the morning following an overnight fast and abstinence from caffeinated drinks, alcohol, and between 48 and 72 hours after the last exercise session.

Official Title
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The Effects of a 12-week Stair Climbing Regimen on Arterial Stiffness, BP and Leg Strength in Stage-1 Hypertensive Postmenopausal Women

Conditions
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Hypertension, Menopause

Intervention / Treatment
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* Behavioral: Stair climbing


Participation Criteria
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Eligibility Criteria
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Inclusion Criteria: Stage-1 hypertension Postmenopausal Exclusion Criteria: Pulmonary, renal, adrenal, pituitary, severe psychiatric, thyroid, or cardiovascular disease other than stage-1 systolic hypertension (140-159 mmHg) Hormone replacement therapy during the 6 months prior the study Smoker or having any medication changes in the previous year Experience with psychological and physical therapy in the previous year History of steady exercise or exercise training in the last year

Ages Eligible for Study
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Minimum Age: 58 Years
Maximum Age: 60 Years

Sexes Eligible for Study
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Female

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: Health Services Research
Allocation: Randomized
Intervention Model: Parallel Assignment
Masking: None (Open Label)


Arms and Interventions

| Participant Group/Arm | Intervention/Treatment |
| --- | --- |
| Experimental: Stair Climbing (SC)<br>N=20, 12 weeks of stair climbing exercise training. | Behavioral: Stair climbing<br>* Stair climbing (SC) training was 12 weeks of progressive SC program. Each training session consisted of a general warm-up (5 min: slow and fast skipping, stretching) followed by the SC training and was supervised by experienced personnel. The program began with two bouts of stair climbing four days a week in weeks 1 and 2, increasing by one climb a day every three weeks. By the last three weeks (10-12) of the study, all subjects were completing 5 climbs four days a week. During each climb participants ascended 12 flights (192 steps) divided into 3 sets of 4 flights, with a 2 min rest period between each set. There was a 5 min rest period between climbs that allowed the participants to reach the ground floor using an elevator. Subjects in the non-exercising control group did not participate in a supervised exercise program for the duration of the study.<br>|
| No Intervention: No Exercise (CON)<br>N=21, No exercise for 12 weeks | |

What is the study measuring?
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Primary Outcome Measures

| Outcome Measure | Measure Description | Time Frame |
| --- | --- | --- |
| Arterial stiffness | Arterial stiff ness was measured by brachial to ankle pulse wave velocity (baPWV, m/s) using volume plethysmographic device (VP-1000). | 12 weeks | 
| Blood pressure (BP) | BP (mmHg) was measured by volume plethysmographic device. Diastolic blood pressure and systolic blood pressure were measured. | 12 weeks | 
| Muscle strength | Muscle strength was measured by the eight repetition maximum (8RM) test using extension machine (Cyber 6000). | 12 weeks | 
| Body composition | Body composition was measured using eight-polar tactile-electrode impedance meter (InBody 720). Body weight (kg), fat mass (kg), and fat free mass (kg) were assessed. | 12 weeks | 
| Height | Height (m) was measured with a stadiometer | 12 weeks | 
| Heart rate (HR) | Heart rate was measured by ECG | 12 weeks | 
| Body mass index (BMI) | BMI was calculated as weight/height^2 (kg/m^2) | 12 weeks |