Acute and chronic effects of muscle power training on blood pressure in elderly patients with type 2 diabetes mellitus

The aim of the present study was to evaluate the effects of 12 weeks of muscle power training (MPT) on casual blood pressure (BP) (before and after each training session) and resting BP (pre- and post-training program) in type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM) elderly. Methods: Twelve T2DM elderly individuals (68.75 +/- 7.83 years), non-insulin-dependents participated in the present study and performed the MPT program twice a week. Casual BP was measured before and after training sessions, and resting BP was measured 48 h before the first and 48 h after the last training session. Results: Significant decrease in casual systolic (SBP) (-7.08 +/- 4.12 mm Hg [effect size [ES]: -1.42 to -0.11]; p < 0.01) and diastolic (DBP) BP (-3.14 +/- 1.24 mm Hg [ES: -1.24 to -0.18]; p > 0.01) was found after training sessions, without significant effect (p > 0.05) of the week along time or casual BP x week interaction. No significant change in resting SBP (-5.08 +/- 8.93 mm Hg [ES: -0.41]; p = 0.07) and DBP (0.47 +/- 6.06 mm Hg [ES: +0.11]; p = 0.79) was found. Conclusion: MPT was able to reduce casual BP after training sessions. However, there was no significant reduction in resting BP after MPT. Nevertheless, although not statistically significant, there were important clinical reductions in resting SBP in T2DM elderly patients.