Comparing the Changes in Blood Pressure After Acute Exposure to Tai Chi and Walking.

Hypertension is a major health concern throughout the United States and is a major cause of cardiovascular disease. The purpose of this study was to compare the responses of Tai Chi and walking on measures of central and peripheral cardiac mechanisms when controlling for exercise intensity. Fifteen hypertensive subjects (2 males, 13 females; age = 20.7 ± 3.77 years; body fat = 24.26 ± 10.27%) participated in Tai Chi (TC) and walking (WK) for 30 minutes on non-consecutive days. Central systolic (CSBP) and diastolic blood pressure (CDBP), augmentation index (Alx), pulse pressure (PP), heart rate (HR), and brachial systolic (BSBP) and diastolic blood pressure (BDBP) were measured prior to exercise and following exercise every 10 minutes for a total of 60 minutes in a seated position. There were no significant differences between the two exercise forms. CSBP decreased 10 minutes after exercise in both exercise types (TC = 6.63 ± 3.258 mmHG; WK = 7 ± 4.144 mmHG p < 0.05), and 40 minutes after exercise in both exercise types (TC = 6.07 ± 3.33 mmHG; WK = 8.2 ± 3.15 mmHG, p < 0.05) compared to the initial measurement. BSBP also decreased in both exercise forms following 10 min of rest (TC = 6.99 ± 3.776 mmHG; WK = 8.8 ± 3.20 mmHG p = 0.05), and 40 min (TC = 8.46 ± 3.07 mmHG; WK = 8.87 ± 3.87 mmHG, p < 0.05) when compared to the initial resting measurement. Central aortic pressure exhibits a post exercise hypotensive (PEH) effect similar to that of peripheral blood pressure. Both Tai Chi and walking elicited similar PEH effects on systolic blood pressure in hypertensive individuals.

The Effects of Mental Imagery with Video-Modeling on Self-Efficacy and Maximal Front Squat Ability.

This study was designed to assess the effectiveness of mental imagery supplemented with video-modeling on self-efficacy and front squat strength (three repetition maximum; 3RM). Subjects (13 male, 7 female) who had at least 6 months of front squat experience were assigned to either an experimental (n = 10) or a control (n = 10) group. Subjects' 3RM and self-efficacy for the 3RM were measured at baseline. Following this, subjects in the experimental group followed a structured imagery protocol, incorporating video recordings of both their own 3RM performance and a model lifter with excellent technique, twice a day for three days. Subjects in the control group spent the same amount of time viewing a placebo video. Following three days with no physical training, measurements of front squat 3RM and self-efficacy for the 3RM were repeated. Subjects in the experimental group increased in self-efficacy following the intervention, and showed greater 3RM improvement than those in the control group. Self-efficacy was found to significantly mediate the relationship between imagery and front squat 3RM. These findings point to the importance of mental skills training for the enhancement of self-efficacy and front squat performance.

The acute effect of aerobic exercise on brachial artery endothelial function in renal transplant recipients.

This study compared the effect of a 30-minute walk on brachial artery endothelial vasodilatation in kidney transplant (KT) recipients and healthy controls (HCs). Endothelial-dependent vasodilatation was measured by ultrasound before and after exercise. The HCs experienced a significant increase in vasodilatation after exercise 1 minute postocclusion when compared with the KT recipients (22%+/-13% vs 3%+/-4%; P<.05). Also, the HCs had a significantly higher vasodilatation from pre-treadmill walk to post-treadmill walk (1 minute postocclusion) when compared with KT recipients (from 3%+/-6% to 22%+/-13% vs 1%+/-3% to 3%+/-4%; P<.05). This acute vasodilatory response observed in the HCs may be related to the immediate release of nitric oxide and the combined response to shear stress and exercise. The KT recipients had several coronary artery disease risk factors that may have adversely affected endothelial function.