Sex-based differences after 12-weeks of recreational beach tennis training on blood pressure in middle-aged adults with hypertension

Abstract

Introduction: Recreational sport is an interesting exercise strategy for controlling blood pressure (BP), but sex-specific responses remain unclear. Objective: To explore potential differences in blood pressure and physical fitness between men and women with treated hypertension after a 12-week recreational beach tennis program. Methods: Forty-two participants (21 men) aged 35–65 years with a previous diagnosis of hypertension were randomized (2:1 ratio) into 12 weeks of beach tennis training group (two sessions per week lasting 45–60 min) or a no-exercise control group. Office BP, cardiorespiratory fitness, and muscle strength were analyzed at baseline and after the intervention period. Generalized estimating equations analyses were employed to examine the main effects of the intervention between the sexes. Results: In the beach tennis group, men demonstrated improvements in systolic and diastolic BP (-10 ± 2 and-7 ± 2 mmHg, respectively; p < 0.001), handgrip test, and the 30s and five-time Chair-stand test after training. Women exhibited a significant improvement in systolic BP (-7 ± 4 mmHg, p = 0.031) and 30s Chair-stand test. No significant changes in BP and physical fitness were found in the control group. In the comparison between groups, both men and women of the beach tennis group showed greater reductions in systolic BP compared with men and women in the control group (Δ-18 ± 6 mmHg; p = 0.014 and-16 ± 5 mmHg; p = 0.017, respectively). No significant differences between men and women in the beach tennis group were found for any variable. Conclusion: A 12-week recreational beach tennis training promotes similar improvements in BP and physical fitness in men and women with hypertension.