Physical training program in arterial hypertension. A long-term prospective follow-up.

A long-term training program was performed on 30 chronic hypertensive female patients, stages I-II, WHO criteria. The effect on blood pressure (BP) and other physiological parameters, as exercise BP, heart rate, physical working capacity, VO2max, double product, were studied. Four phases were outlined throughout the trial: (1) 3 months training at 70% of the maximal heart rate; (2) 3 months without training; (3) 1 year training at the same level as phase I, and (4) 12 or more months with increasing intensity training over 70% of the maximal heart rate. Serial ergometric work tests were performed every 3 months. We observed a close relationship between physical working capacity and VO2max increases with training intensity. Resting BP fell significantly with training (182/114-161/97 mm Hg; p less than 0.001) but increased again when training was discontinued (161/97-179/115 mm Hg; p less than 0.001). BP persisted low throughout the trial, but there was a tendency to a further but not significant decrease when training intensity was raised over 70% of the maximal heart rate. Both the submaximal and maximal exercise BP showed similar changes to those found in the resting BP throughout the trial. The submaximal heart rate and the double product (BP X heart rate) also fell significantly with training but with maximal values not changing significantly throughout the whole follow-up period.