Time-efficient inspiratory muscle strength training lowers blood pressure, improves endothelial function, and improves oxidative stress in middle-aged/elderly people without bioavailability and above normal blood pressure

First published June 29, 2021. https://doi.org/10.1161/JAHA.121.020980 Journal of the American Heart Association. ; 0: e020980

Commentary

This study practiced high-resistance inspiratory muscle strength training (IMST) on middle-aged to elderly people to see if changes in blood pressure levels would occur. High-resistance inspiratory muscle strength training (IMST) is a time-efficient physical training modality.

A double-blind, randomized, sham-controlled study was conducted to see if 6 weeks of IMST (30 breaths/day, 6 days/week) improved blood pressure, endothelial function, and arterial stiffness in middle-aged/elderly adults (50 to elderly).

In addition, we are investigating potential mechanisms and long-term effects on systolic blood pressure above 120 mm Hg.

Thirty-six participants completed high-resistance IMST (75% maximal inspiratory pressure, n = 18) or low-resistance sham training (15% maximal inspiratory pressure, n = 18).

Systolic blood pressure decreased from 135 ± 2 mmHg to 126 ± 3 mmHg during IMST (P <0.01) and was found to be approximately 75% sustained after 6 weeks of IMST. (P < 0.01)

IMST, on the other hand, moderately reduced diastolic blood pressure (from 79 ± 2 mmHg to 77 ± 2 mmHg, P = 0.03), confirming that blood pressure was not affected by sham training. (All P > 0.05)

Twenty-four-hour systolic blood pressure was lower after IMST and after sham training (P = 0.01), and dilatation via brachial artery flow improved by about 45% with IMST (P < 0.01) but did not change with sham training (P = 0.73).

In these conclusions, high resistance IMST may be an intervention to improve blood pressure and endothelial function in middle-aged/elderly people with above normal initial systolic blood pressure.