The Effects of Four Weeks of Aerobic Training on Arterial Stiffness and the Renin-Angiotensin & Aldosterone System on Stage One Hypertensive Obese Individuals

Increases in blood pressure (BP) are directly related to increases in body mass and obesity related hypertension is associated with pronounced activity of the renin-angiotensin-aldosterone system (RAAS) and increased pulse wave velocity (PWV). The purpose of this study was to assess RAAS activity and PWV before and after 4 weeks of aerobic exercise in an obese, hypertensive population, who were also unmedicated. Seven men and three women underwent 4 weeks of moderate intensity aerobic training (30 min., 3x/wk, 65% VO2 peak). Body mass (BMI), BP, and blood markers were taken at baseline, post 4 week control period, and post 4 weeks of exercise. No significant differences were seen in descriptive characteristics following the control period; however, there were significant declines in aldosterone and PWV following training. These data show that 4 weeks of moderate intensity aerobic exercise decreases central PWV and may be linked with decreases in ALDO in this population.