Comparison of the effects of aerobic exercise training and mat pilates exercises on blood pressure, functional capacity and quality of life in hypertensive individuals

The aim of our study was to compare the effects of Aerobic Exercise Training combined with resistance exercises and Mat Pilates Exercises combined with resistance exercises on blood pressure (BP), functional capacity and quality of life in adults with hypertension (HT). The study included 27 patients with stage 1 and stage 2 HT who were admitted to the Department of Cardiology, Bezmialem Vakif University Faculty of Medicine Hospital. The participants were randomized and divided into 3 groups as Group 1; Aerobic Exercise Training Group (n=9), Group 2; Mat Pilates Exercises Group (n=9) and Control Group (n=9). Group 1 received supervised Aerobic Exercise Training 3 days a week and Group 2 received supervised Mat Pilates Exercises 3 days a week. In addition to the training groups, a resistance exercise program was recommended as home exercises 2 days a week. The control group received only routine recommendations for 8 weeks. All groups continued their recommended routine pharmacotherapy for 8 weeks. Systolic Blood Pressure (SBP) and Diastolic Blood Pressure (DBP) were measured by manual measurement, functional capacity was measured by 6 Minute Walking Test (6MWT) and quality of life was measured and recorded by EuroQoL General Quality of Life (EQ-5D-5L) questionnaire consisting of 2 parts. The evaluations were performed three times: baseline (T0), week 4 (T4) and week 8 (T8). IBM SPSS v.28 program was used to analyze the data obtained from the study. The significance level was accepted as p<0.005 for all statistical analyses. The Shapiro-Wilk test was used to determine whether all data were normally distributed. Categorical variables were compared with Fisher-Freeman-Halton Exact test. Repeated ANOVA Test was used to compare within-group data. Pillai's Trace Test was used for variables with significant difference. Intergroup data showing normal distribution were compared with One Way ANOVA Test and Bonferroni Test was used as a "post hoc" test to determine between which groups for variables with significant difference. When the findings of our study were analyzed; decreases were found between T0-T4 and T0-T8 in SDB measurements in Group 1, and these decreases were statistically significant (p<0.05). In DBP measurements, a statistically significant difference was found between T0-T8 (p<0.05). In group 2, decreases in SDB were recorded between T0-T8 and these decreases were statistically significant (p<0.05). In DKB measurements, there was no statistically significant difference between T0 and T8 (p>0.05). In group 3, there was no statistically significant difference in SDB and DBP measurements when all times were compared (p<0.05). When compared between groups, there was no statistically significant difference between Group 1 and Group 2 in reducing SDB (p>0.05). In functional capacity findings, there were statistically significant increases in 6DYM at T0-T8 in Group 1 and Group 2 (p<0.05), but there was no statistically significant difference in the control group (p>0.05). In quality of life assessment, statistically significant increases were found in EQ-GAS scores after treatment in Group 1 and Group 2 (p<0.05). In Group 1, statistically significant improvements occurred in the EQ-5D TSIP between T0-T4 (p<0.05). When compared between groups, there was no statistically significant difference between Group 1 and Group 2 in EQ-5D TSIP and EQ-GAS scores at T0-T8 (p>0.05). Improvements in quality of life were found when both exercise groups were compared with the control group (p<0.05). The results of our study show that Aerobic Exercise Training and Mat Pilates Exercises combined with resistance exercises given in addition to pharmacologic treatment in hypertensive individuals reduce SDB, increase 6DYM and improve quality of life. In addition, in our study, Aerobic Exercise Training was found to be more effective than Mat Pilates Exercises in reducing SDB at the end of the 4th week. However, at the end of the 8th week, Aerobic Exercise Training and Mat Pilates Exercises were not superior to each other in reducing BP. Physiotherapists can include Mat Pilates Exercises in their programs to control BP. This approach is as effective as Aerobic Exercise Training in reducing BP.