Effect of moderate-intensity seated exercise on the management of metabolic outcomes in hypertensive individuals with or without exercise habits

Background: We aimed to evaluate the effect of moderate-intensity seated exercise on metabolic outcomes in hypertensive individuals with or without exercise habits. Methods: Forty-two hypertensive individuals volunteered for this study and were classified into 3 groups by their habits and place for moderate-intensity exercise prior to this study: NONE (<2 days/week or no exercise; n = 13), HOME (>= 30 min/day and >= 2 days/week at home; n = 15), and GYM (>= 30 min/day and >= 2 days/week at a hospital gym; n = 14). They performed their daily activities as usual and seated exercise (stepping and stepping with trunk rotation; a range of 11-13 on the Borg rating of perceived exertion scale) for at least 15 min/day and at least 3 days/week for 12 weeks. Results: Thirty-five participants (age: 67.7 +/- 5.9 years) completed the study, and there was no difference among the 3 groups regarding weekly exercise. The homeostasis model assessment of insulin resistance (HOMA-IR) value in the NONE group was significantly higher than that in the GYM group at baseline (p < 0.05), but it decreased significantly after 12 weeks (from 2.2 +/- 0.8 to 1.7 +/- 0.7, p < 0.05). Changes in HOMA-IR in the NONE group after 12 weeks was greater than that in the HOME and GYM groups (both p < 0.01). The HOME and GYM groups showed no significant changes in any of the variables. Conclusion: Moderate-intensity seated exercise may be an effective strategy to improve insulin resistance in hypertensive individuals without exercise habits. (C) 2020 The Society of Chinese Scholars on Exercise Physiology and Fitness. Published by Elsevier (Singapore) Pte Ltd.

Automated summary

The study found that moderate-intensity seated exercise can improve insulin resistance in hypertensive individuals without exercise habits, reducing the risk of deterioration in metabolic outcomes.