Impact of a program of adapted physical activity on the morphological, physiological, and biological parameters of sedentary hypertensive postmenopausal women

Abstract

High blood pressure is a public health problem. It has a detrimental impact on the health system and physical activity is part of the arsenal of its treatment. The aim is to contribute to the improvement of the management of hypertensive patients in our environment. We conducted a quasi-experimental study on a total of 30 hypertensive postmenopausal women followed at the University Clinics of Kinshasa over a 6-month period. Morphological, physiological and biological parameters were assessed before these patients were subjected to the moderate-intensity adapted physical activity program, lasting at least 45 minutes per session and frequency of 3 times per week plus home training. The average age of 30 patients was 56 years. After the intervention program, our study revealed a significant decrease in weight of 3 kg, body mass index of 5.1 kg/m2, systolic blood pressure of 4.4 mmHg, resting heart rate 3.3 bpm and blood sugar of 3.5 mg/dL. In addition, a significant rise of 3.31 mg/dL of HDL cholesterol and 2.7 ml/kg/min of V02max were observed. adapted physical activities practiced on a regular basis allow postmenopausal women with hypertension to modify certain morphological, physiological and biological parameters. They should therefore be encouraged to help postmenopausal women control their blood pressure levels and be active.