BACKGROUND: Hemodynamic responses to physical training are not homogenous and uniform, and considerable inter-individual variations in the blood pressure of hypertensive individuals are noted in both aerobic and resistance training protocols. In this context, this study aimed to evaluate the effects of resistance and aerobic exercise on the blood pressure responses of hypertensive older adults. METHODS: Groups were randomly divided into resistance training, n = 20; aerobic training, n = 20; control group, n = 21). After the first intervention period (12 weeks), individuals underwent a washout period (six detraining weeks), followed by a second intervention. This process is called the 'cross-over' model, where individuals who performed the aerobic exercise protocol also performed resistance training and vice-versa, constituting another 12 weeks of intervention. Blood pressure, functional performance, glycated hemoglobin and lipid profiles were evaluated preintervention and postintervention. RESULTS: Varying responses to resistance training or aerobic training stimuli were observed in the hypertensive older adult participants. Both resistance training (pre 133.2 +/- 14.1; post 122.4 +/- 7.3; p < 0.05) and aerobic training (pre 134.2 +/- 14.4; post 123 +/- 9.4; p < 0.0.5) were effective in decreasing SBP, but only aerobic training (pre 9955.3 +/- 1769.4; post 8800.9 +/- 1316.1; p < 0.05) resulted in a decreased double product, and only the resistance training group improved functional performance. CONCLUSION: Responses to resistance training or aerobic training stimuli varied noticeably between hypertensive older adults and both resistance training and aerobic training were effective in reducing SBP. This knowledge may be useful in providing individually tailored exercise prescriptions for hypertensive older adults.
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