ACELA: Exploring the Effects of Aquatic Exercise on Cardiovascular Function in Older Adults
Study Details
Study Description
Brief Summary
Cardiovascular ageing is implicated in the development of cardiovascular disease (CVD). Aquatic exercise is being considered as a co-adjuvant form of rehabilitation, but there is limited evidence for its cardiovascular risk-reduction properties for older people. Our study aims to address this by exploring the cardiovascular effects of long-term aquatic exercise in older adults in comparison to those who are either inactive or engaged in land-based/mixed training by measurement of micro- and macro-circulation.
Condition or Disease | Intervention/Treatment | Phase |
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Study Design
Arms and Interventions
Arm | Intervention/Treatment |
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Aquatic Exercise General inclusion criteria included being over 55 years of age and normotensive (e.g., <140/90 mm Hg). Specifically for this group, we include participants engaging in swimming or other aquatic, primarily aerobic-based, training regimes for more than 2 times a week, for more than 6 months, at the time of the assessments. |
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Land-based exercise General inclusion criteria included being over 55 years of age and normotensive (e.g., <140/90 mm Hg). Specifically for this group, we include participants engaging in land-based, primarily aerobic training regimes (e.g. aerobic exercise) for more than 2 times a week, for a period longer than 6 months, at the time of the assessments. |
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Mixed exercise General inclusion criteria included being over 55 years of age and normotensive (e.g., <140/90 mm Hg). Specifically for this group, we include participants engaging in both land-based and aquatic, primarily aerobic, exercise regimes on an equal basis, for more than 6 months. |
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Sedentary. General inclusion criteria included being over 55 years of age and normotensive (e.g., <140/90 mm Hg). Specifically for this group, we include participants who are sedentary (e.g., defined as undertaking less than 60 min of structured/planned physical activity per week), for a period longer than 6 months. |
Procedure: Aquatic exercise
Participants belonging to Group D (sedentary group) will be randomised 1-to-1 between remaining sedentary (n=20) and following a self-managed, 8-week, aquatic-based exercise programme (n=20). The latter group will be offered an 8-week access to pool facilities. For Group D participants, all baseline assessments will be repeated at 8 weeks.
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Outcome Measures
Primary Outcome Measures
- Nitric oxide-mediated, macro (arterial)- circulatory function. [Baseline.]
We will use FMD as a measure of endothelium-dependent, nitric oxide (NO)-mediated, macro (arterial)- circulatory function. Baseline scanning to assess resting vessel diameter will be recorded over 3 minutes, following a 10-minute resting period. A rapid inflation-deflation pneumatic cuff placed immediately distal to the elbow joint will be used to as an FMD stimulus.
- Nitric oxide-mediated, macro (arterial)- circulatory function. [8 weeks.]
We will use FMD as a measure of endothelium-dependent, nitric oxide (NO)-mediated, macro (arterial)- circulatory function. Baseline scanning to assess resting vessel diameter will be recorded over 3 minutes, following a 10-minute resting period. A rapid inflation-deflation pneumatic cuff placed immediately distal to the elbow joint will be used to as an FMD stimulus.
Secondary Outcome Measures
- Microcirculatory function [Baseline.]
Skin blood flow will be measured as cutaneous red blood cell flux using a Laser Doppler Flowmeter (LDF). Local thermal hyperaemia will be induced using a heating disc surrounding the probe. The probe will be attached to the skin using a double-sided adhesion sticker. Participants will be rested in a supine position in a temperature-controlled room with a constant ambient temperature of 24° C for 35 minutes. Heart rate and diastolic and systolic blood pressure was recorded from the left arm at 5-minute intervals throughout the protocol (Dinamap Dash 2500, GE Healthcare, USA). Baseline skin blood flow data will be recorded for 5 minutes with the local heating disc temperature set at 30° C. Following this, rapid local heating will be initiated to obtain maximal vasodilation and the temperature will be increased by 1° C every 10 seconds until 42° C was reached. This will then be maintained for 30 minutes following, which the test will be completed.
- Microcirculatory function [8 weeks.]
Skin blood flow will be measured as cutaneous red blood cell flux using a Laser Doppler Flowmeter (LDF). Local thermal hyperaemia will be induced using a heating disc surrounding the probe. The probe will be attached to the skin using a double-sided adhesion sticker. Participants will be rested in a supine position in a temperature-controlled room with a constant ambient temperature of 24° C for 35 minutes. Heart rate and diastolic and systolic blood pressure was recorded from the left arm at 5-minute intervals throughout the protocol (Dinamap Dash 2500, GE Healthcare, USA). Baseline skin blood flow data will be recorded for 5 minutes with the local heating disc temperature set at 30° C. Following this, rapid local heating will be initiated to obtain maximal vasodilation and the temperature will be increased by 1° C every 10 seconds until 42° C was reached. This will then be maintained for 30 minutes following, which the test will be completed.
- Anthropometry - 1 [Baseline.]
Stature, waist and hip circumferences will be measured (all in cms).
- Anthropometry - 2 [Baseline.]
Body mass will be measured.
- Anthropometry - 1 [8 weeks.]
Stature, waist and hip circumferences will be measured (all in cms).
- Anthropometry - 2 [8 weeks.]
Body mass will be measured.
- EQ-5D-5L [Baseline.]
The EQ5D-5L questionnaire will be completed, to support assessment of quality of life.
- EQ-5D-5L [8 weeks.]
The EQ5D-5L questionnaire will be completed, to support assessment of quality of life.
- SF-IPAQ [Baseline.]
The SF-IPAQ questionnaire will be completed, to assess physical activity levels.
- SF-IPAQ [8 weeks.]
The SF-IPAQ questionnaire will be completed, to assess physical activity levels.
- Q-Risk [Baseline.]
The online Q-Risk questionnaire will be competed, which assesses the risk of cardiovascular disease risk
- Q-Risk [8 weeks.]
The online Q-Risk questionnaire will be competed, which assesses the risk of cardiovascular disease risk
Eligibility Criteria
Criteria
Inclusion Criteria:
- being over 55 years of age and normotensive (e.g., <140/90 mm Hg).
Exclusion Criteria:
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any overt chronic disease which would affect microvascular functioning,
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anaemia (irrespective of whether an iron supplementation course is followed or not)
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a recent (3 months' ago) major surgery
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None of the participants were undertaking high intensity interval training of any form.
Contacts and Locations
Locations
Site | City | State | Country | Postal Code | |
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1 | Sheffield Hallam University | Sheffield | Yorkshire | United Kingdom | S10 2BP |
Sponsors and Collaborators
- Sheffield Hallam University
Investigators
- Principal Investigator: Markos Klonizakis, D.Phil., Sheffield Hallam University
Study Documents (Full-Text)
None provided.More Information
Publications
None provided.- ER5320861