In the first study of its kind, researchers found that 12 weeks of swimming significantly lowered the blood pressure and improved the artery health of sedentary older adults.
Researchers at the University of Texas at Austin studied older adults with prehypertension or stage 1 hypertension who were not on any medication. Half of the participants took part in 12 weeks of swimming exercises and the other half performed gentle relaxation exercises during this time. Each group participated in its assigned activity three to four days a week for 15 to 45 minutes a day.
At the end of the study, the swimming group’s systolic blood pressure fell 7 percent and their arteries became more elastic and responsive to changes in blood pressure. The group that performed relaxation exercises showed no statistically significant improvements. Researchers noted that this study indicates one more benefit of swimming for older adults. Since swimming minimizes weight-bearing stress and is unlikely to lead to overheating, swimming is an ideal exercise for older adults whether or not they have high blood pressure, said researchers.
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