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Chulalongkorn Medical Journal

Abstract

Background: Hypertension is a cause of premature death. One of the treatments for high blood pressure isregular exercise. In addition, it is a safe exercise, less injuries and can be easily implemented. Exercise withthe ball is a very interesting type of exercise to apply for health promotion that believed to improve blood pressureand functional performance in hypertensive patients.Objective: To determine the effects of exercise with the ball on blood pressure and functional performance infemale hypertensive patients.Methods: In a randomized controlled trial, female hypertensive patients (n = 20; average age 50.8  3.3 years)were randomly allocated into two groups. The experimental group performed exercise with the ball consistedof 55 minutes/time, 3 times a week for 6 weeks whereas the control group received education. Blood pressuremeasured by digital sphygmomanometers. Functional performance tests were assessed cardiovascularendurance measured by 6 minutes walk test, balance control, gait and lower extremity strength measured bytimed up and go test, gait speed measured by 10-meter walk test and postural control measured by one legstand test. Results were presented as means and standard deviations.Results: At the end of the study, there were significantly differences between experimental and control groupfor systolic and diastolic blood pressure (P < 0.05), respectively. Functional performance in experimental groupwere improved for 6 minutes walk test (P < 0.05), time up and go test (P < 0.05), 10-meter walk test (P < 0.05) andone leg stand test (P < 0.05).Conclusion: Exercise with the ball can reduce blood pressure levels and improve functional performance. Thesefindings support the recommendations of exercise with the ball in hypertensive patients.

Publisher

Faculty of Medicine, Chulalongkorn University

First Page

395

Last Page

402

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