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Aquatic Training in Upright Position as an Alternative to Improve Blood Pressure in Adults and Elderly: A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis

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Abstract

Background

Meta-analyses have shown that land training (LT) reduces blood pressure; however, it is not known whether aquatic training (AT) promotes this same effect.

Objective

The aim was to conduct a meta-analysis on the effects of AT on systolic blood pressure (SBP) and diastolic blood pressure (DBP) in adults and elderly and compare them to those of LT and no training [control group (CG)].

Data Sources

Embase, PubMed, Cochrane and Scopus were searched up to May 2017.

Study Eligibility Criteria

Studies that evaluated the effect of upright AT (i.e., AT performed in upright position) on the blood pressure of adult individuals and the elderly who did not present with cardiovascular disease (other than hypertension) were included.

Data Analysis

Two independent reviewers screened search results, performed data extraction and assessed risk of bias. Random effect was used, and the effect size (ES) was calculated by using the standardized mean difference with a 95% confidence interval.

Results

AT promoted a reduction in SBP (ES − 1.47; 95% CI − 2.23 to − 0.70; p < 0.01) compared to CG. This effect is maintained with training progression (ES − 1.52; 95% CI − 2.70 to − 0.33; p = 0.01) and no progression (ES − 1.43; 95% CI − 2.64 to − 0.23; p = 0.02). These effects were significant only in hypertensive (ES − 2.20; 95% CI − 2.72 to − 1.68; p < 0.01), and not in pre-hypertensive individuals. AT promoted a decrease in DBP (− 0.92; 95% CI − 1.27 to − 0.57; p < 0.01) after training with progression (− 0.81; 95% CI − 1.62 to − 0.001; p = 0.04) and no progression (− 1.01; 95% CI − 1.40 to − 0.62; p < 0.01) in pre-hypertensive (− 1.12; 95% CI − 1.53 to − 0.70; p < 0.01) and hypertensive patients (− 0.69; 95% CI − 1.31 to − 0.06; p = 0.03). AT promoted similar reductions in SBP compared to LT; however, reduction of DBP in hypertensive patients was lower (1.82; 95% CI 0.84 to 2.79; p < 0.01).

Conclusion

AT promotes blood pressure reduction in adults and elderly. The reduction in SBP in those performing AT is similar to those performing LT, but reduction of DBP is lower in the AT group compared to that in the LT group.

Systematic Review Registration Number

CRD42016049716.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Universidade Federal do Rio Grande do Sul, Porto Alegre, Brazil

    Thaís Reichert, Rochelle Rocha Costa, Bruna Machado Barroso, Vitória de Mello Bones da Rocha, Rodrigo Sudatti Delevatti & Luiz Fernando Martins Kruel

  2. Universidade Federal de Santa Catarina, Florianópolis, Brazil

    Rodrigo Sudatti Delevatti

  3. Swimming Center, Physical Education, Physiotherapy and Dance School-UFRGS, Felizardo Street, 750, Porto Alegre, RS, 90690-200, Brazil

    Thaís Reichert

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  1. Thaís Reichert
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Correspondence to Thaís Reichert.

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Thaís Reichert, Rochelle Rocha Costa, Bruna Machado Barroso, Vitória de Mello Bones da Rocha, Rodrigo Sudatti Delevatti and Luiz Fernando Martins Kruel declare that they have no conflicts of interest relevant to the content of this review.

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Reichert, T., Costa, R.R., Barroso, B.M. et al. Aquatic Training in Upright Position as an Alternative to Improve Blood Pressure in Adults and Elderly: A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis. Sports Med 48, 1727–1737 (2018). https://doi.org/10.1007/s40279-018-0918-0

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