Effect of Aerobic Exercise on Blood Pressure Changes
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ClinicalTrials.gov Identifier: NCT00358137 |
Recruitment Status :
Completed
First Posted : July 31, 2006
Last Update Posted : February 18, 2016
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Condition or disease | Intervention/treatment | Phase |
---|---|---|
Hypertension Cardiovascular Diseases | Behavioral: Aerobic Conditioning Program Behavioral: Strength Training Program | Not Applicable |
The purpose of this study is to compare the effectiveness of an aerobic exercise program versus a strength training program in altering RR interval and blood pressure variability as indices of autonomic nervous system regulation of the cardiovascular system. Subjects will be tested at rest and in response to challenge.
This study will enroll healthy, young (age 18-45) sedentary individuals at Columbia University Medical Center and St. John's University. At an initial screening visit, potential participants will be screened for exercise activity and will also undergo a test of aerobic capacity. Subjects will be eligible if they are not exercising regularly and do not exceed American Heart Association standards for average fitness (VO2max ≤ 43 and 37 ml/kg/min for men and women respectively). Exclusion criteria include current symptoms of affective disorder, psychosis, or substance abuse, current usage of psychotropic medication, and any medical condition that affected the autonomic nervous system or cardiovascular system.
Eligible participants will then be randomly assigned to 12 weeks of either an aerobic conditioning program or a strength training program. At study entry, heart rate, respiratory rate, and blood pressure will be measured; an ECG will be used to measure heart activity. Questionnaires will be completed to assess anger, tension, depression, and fatigue. Participants in the aerobic conditioning program will attend four 1-hour exercise sessions per week, which will focus on increasing cardiovascular fitness through running and other forms of aerobic exercise. The strength training program will also include four sessions per week, with the focus on increasing muscle endurance and strength. At the end of the 12-week programs, participants will begin a 4-week period of deconditioning, during which they will discontinue all exercise. Evaluations will be repeated at the end of the 12-week programs, and at the end of the 4-week deconditioning period.
Study Type : | Interventional (Clinical Trial) |
Actual Enrollment : | 149 participants |
Allocation: | Randomized |
Intervention Model: | Parallel Assignment |
Masking: | Single (Investigator) |
Primary Purpose: | Treatment |
Official Title: | Psychophysiologic Stress, Exercise, & Autonomic Control |
Study Start Date : | July 1997 |
Actual Study Completion Date : | January 2003 |

- RR inverval (RRV) and blood pressure variability at rest and in response to challenge (measured prior to exercise training and again after training and after sedentary deconditioning).
- Secondary outcome measures include ambulatory blood pressure.

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Ages Eligible for Study: | 18 Years to 45 Years (Adult) |
Sexes Eligible for Study: | All |
Accepts Healthy Volunteers: | Yes |
Inclusion Criteria:
- Average cardiorespiratory fitness level, as defined by the American Heart Association (VO2 max [maximum oxygen consumption] less than 43 ml/kg/min for men and less than 37 ml/kg/min for women)
- English speaking
- Ambulatory
- Sedentary
Exclusion Criteria:
- Use of psychotropic medications
- Past or current psychiatric disorder
- Heart disease
- High blood pressure
- Diabetes mellitus
- Neurologic disease

To learn more about this study, you or your doctor may contact the study research staff using the contact information provided by the sponsor.
Please refer to this study by its ClinicalTrials.gov identifier (NCT number): NCT00358137
Principal Investigator: | Richard P. Sloan, PhD | Columbia University |
Responsible Party: | Richard P. Sloan, Columbia University |
ClinicalTrials.gov Identifier: | NCT00358137 |
Other Study ID Numbers: |
404 R01HL061287-04 ( U.S. NIH Grant/Contract ) |
First Posted: | July 31, 2006 Key Record Dates |
Last Update Posted: | February 18, 2016 |
Last Verified: | December 2007 |
Blood Pressure, High |
Cardiovascular Diseases |