Effects of One-time bamboo stepping on the Elderly's Blood Pressure and the Autonomic Neural System

Abstract

Background: The purpose of this study is to investigate the change of blood pressure and autonomic neural system through one-time bamboo stepping in hypertensive elderly people. Design: Randomized Controlled Trial. Methods: We recruited 26 elderly people aged 65 or older for study. They sat for 10 minutes in a chair, rested, and measured pre-exercise blood pressure and autonomic neural system. The blood pressure was measured three times and the mean value was used and the autonomic neural system was measured once. Bamboo stepping exercise was performed for 20 minutes. Blood pressure and autonomic neural system were measured 5 times immediately after exercise, and every 15 minutes at 60 minutes after bamboo stepping exercise. Results: There was a significant difference in the decrease of systolic blood pressure after one-time bamboo stepping exercise, the change of parasympathetic activity (HF), heart rate variability (HRV) and BPM measured immediately after exercise at 15 minutes after exercise, There was no significant difference in autonomic neural system change. Conclusion: One-time Bamboo stepping exercise is effective in decreasing systolic blood pressure of the hypertensive elderly.