Title

The Impact Of Blood Pressure Dipping Status On Cognition, Mobility and Cardiovascular Health In Older Adults Following An Exercise Program

Authors

Narlon Cassio Boa Sorte SilvaFollow
Michael A. Greagory, Western University
Dawn P. Gill, Western University
Cheri L. McGowan, Western University
Robert Petrella, Western University

Category

Lifestyle and Healthy Aging

Publication Date

Spring 4-23-2018

Journal

Gerontology & Geriatric Medicine

Volume

4

First Page

1

Last Page

11

URL with Digital Object Identifier

https://doi.org/10.1177%2F2333721418770333

Abstract

Objectives: To determine whether a dual-task gait and aerobic exercise intervention differentially impacted older adults with normal blood pressure (BP) dipping status (dippers) compared to those with nondipping status (nondippers).

Methods: This study was a secondary analysis involving participants (mean age = 70.3 years, 61% women) who attended a laboratory-based exercise intervention over a 6-month period (40 min/day and 3 days/week). Participants were assessed in measures of cognition, mobility, and cardiovascular health at baseline, 3, 6, and 12 months (after a 6-month no-contact follow-up).

Results: We observed improvements in cognition in both groups at 6 and 12 months, although no between-group differences were seen. Nondippers demonstrated superior improvements in usual gait velocity and step length after the exercise intervention compared to dippers. Dippers reduced daytime systolic BP at 6 and 12 months to a greater extent than nondippers.

Discussion: BP dipping status at baseline did not influence exercise benefits to cognition but did mediate changes in mobility and cardiovascular health.