EFFECT OF AEROBIC TRAINING ON MARKERS OF ENDOTHELIAL FUNCTION IN HYPERTENSIVE POSTMENOPAUSAL WOMEN

Aging and the loss of endogenous estrogen production after menopause are
accompanied by increases in blood pressure and endothelial dysfunction. Exercise training improves
endothelial function in patients with hypertension. The aim of this study was to examine the effect of
aerobic training on some markers of endothelial function in hypertensive postmenopausal women.
Materials & Methods: This quasi-experimental research was performed on 20 sedentary hypertensive
postmenopausal women whom were selected according to purposive and availabile sampling , and
were randomly divided into aerobic exercise(10 person) and control groups(10 person). Training
program consisted of 45-60 minute rhytmic aerobic exercise at 40-60 percent of maximal heart rate, 3
sessions per week for 6 weeks. Blood samples were taken before and after 6 weeks. Samples were
analyzed for measure the intercellular adhesion molecule-1, vascular cell adhesion molecule-1 and Eselectin
levels.
Result: After 6 weeks aerobic training, intercellular adhesion molecule-1 levels significantly reduced
in aerobic exercise group(p=0.001). But no significant reductions were found in vascular cell adhesion
molecule-1 and E-selectin in trained women compared to the control group. In addition chronic
exercise training was accompanied by a significant decrease in systolic and diastolic blood pressure in
aerobic exercise group (p=0.001, p=0.015, respectively).
Conclusion: Exercise training might be considered as an effective non-pharmacological intervention
for attenuating hypertention and mitigate intercellular adhesion molecule-1 in hypertensive
postmenopausal women