Effects of aerobic dance on systolic blood pressure in stage one hypertensive adults in Uganda.

Abstract

Objective: To investigate the effects of a 12-week aerobic dance programme on systolic blood pressure (SBP) in stage one hypertensive adults.

Methods: This study employed an experimental research design. 36 out of 58 stage one hypertensive adults randomly assigned into experimental and control groups completed the programme. SBP was measured using a mercury sphygmomanometer at baseline and post programme. The experimental group participants trained thrice a week, 45 min per session, and at a moderate intensity, but the control group continued doing their daily routines. Data were analysed using SPSS V.20. A two-tailed t-test was used to compare the mean differences of the two groups. A p value of <0.05 was considered statistically significant.

Results: The experimental group had a mean SBP of 143.83±6.382 mm Hg at baseline, while the control had 137.61±6.400 mm Hg. After a 12-week aerobic dance programme, the mean SBP of the experimental group reduced to 136.33±9.191 mm Hg, while that of the control group increased to 139.56±9.954 mm Hg. This implies that the 12-week aerobic dance programme reduced the SBP of the experimental group by -7.50 mm Hg while that of the control group remained more or less the same by having a marginal increment of 1.50 mm Hg. The changes were statistically significant (p<0.002) after a 12-week aerobic dance programme.

Conclusion: The aerobic dance programme effectively manages the SBP of stage one hypertensive adults. In Uganda, stakeholders and policymakers should consider incorporating aerobic dance as a non-pharmacological method for hypertension management protocols.