RESUMO
OBJECTIVE: To compare the therapeutic effect of aerobic exercise training of different intensity on hypertension. METHODS: Sixty hypertensive patients were randomly allocated to 2 groups and treated with aerobic exercise training at 20% or 60% of maximal intensity. Not only were the relevant parameters of exercise capacity measured by the use of treadmill exercise test, but also was ambulatory blood pressure monitored and the quality of life recorded before and after the therapy. RESULTS: There was no significant difference of the decrement in any parameter of ambulatory blood pressure between the two groups (P > 0.05). There was a significant difference of the increment of general health, vitality, emotion and mentality between the two groups after treatment with group A better than group B (P < 0.05). CONCLUSIONS: Aerobic exercise training at 20% and 60% of the maximal intensity has similar ambulatory blood pressure, but the quality of life is significantly better after aerobic exercise training at 20% of the maximal intensity.
