Heated pool exercise versus land exercise for older adults with high blood pressure

Effect of Heated Water-Based Versus Land-Based Exercise Training on Hemodynamic Variables, Functional Capacity and Quality of Life in Older

We will test whether exercise in a heated pool or on land better lowers blood pressure and improves function and quality of life in people over 60 with hypertension.

Quick facts

• Phase: NA
• Study type: Interventional
• Enrollment: 60 (estimated)
• Ages: 60 Years and up
• Sex: All
• Sponsor: Universidade Estadual Paulista Júlio de Mesquita Filho (other)
• Locations: 1 site (Bauru, São Paulo)
• Trial ID: NCT07131748 on ClinicalTrials.gov

What this trial studies

This randomized interventional study will enroll 60 adults aged over 60 with diagnosed hypertension on stable medication and will randomize them 2:2:1 to heated water-based exercise, land-based exercise, or a non-exercise control. Supervised exercise sessions will be delivered at the study site and adherence will be monitored, with exclusion for participants who attend less than 60% of sessions or change medications. Primary and secondary outcomes include office blood pressure, arterial stiffness, endothelial function, metabolic and inflammatory markers, functional capacity, and quality of life measured before and after the intervention. The protocol excludes current smokers and people with decompensated cardiovascular, thyroid, or inflammatory disease or who cannot safely perform exercise testing.

Who should consider this trial

Good fit: Ideal candidates are adults older than 60 with diagnosed stage 1–2 hypertension for more than six months, on stable antihypertensive therapy with office BP under 140/90 mmHg, who can safely perform supervised exercise and attend sessions at the study site.

Not a fit: Patients with unstable or decompensated cardiovascular disease, recent medication changes, active smoking, severe mobility or cognitive limitations, or inability to adhere to the exercise schedule are unlikely to benefit from this protocol.

Why it matters

Potential benefit: If successful, heated water exercise could offer a gentler, effective option to lower blood pressure and improve vascular and functional health in older adults with hypertension.

How similar studies have performed: Smaller trials and observational studies suggest aquatic exercise can reduce blood pressure and improve function, but randomized data specifically comparing heated pool versus land exercise in older hypertensive patients are limited.

Eligibility criteria

Inclusion Criteria:

\- For the study population, the following will not be included in the study:

* Smokers (avoiding acute effects of smoking on physiological measures);
* Individuals with decompensated cardiovascular disease, thyroid dysfunction and / or inflammatory diseases;
* Unable individuals to perform an exercise program or ergospirometric test due to physical or mental incapacity;
* Individuals with hemodynamic and / or electrocardiographic changes during the ergospirometric test.
* Only individuals older than 60 years, with a diagnosis of SAH for more than 6 months (stage 1 or 2), using antihypertensive medication (office BP less than 140/90 mmHg) and without medication change for at least 2 months.

Exclusion Criteria:

* For the study population, individuals who have less than 60% adherence to scheduled physical exercise sessions will be excluded during the study.
* Individuals who change or discontinue their clinical and / or pharmacological treatment (with or without a prescription).

Where this trial is running

Bauru, São Paulo

• Universidade Estadual Paulista Julio de Mesquita Filho — Bauru, São Paulo, Brazil (RECRUITING)

Study contacts

• Study coordinator: Awassi Y. Ngomane, Master

Conditions: Hypertension, Aging, Exercise, Pathophysiology, Elderly, Hemodynamic Response