Continuous and accumulated bouts of cycling matched by intensity and energy expenditure elicit similar acute blood pressure reductions in prehypertensive men

The present study investigated differences in postexercise hypotension (PEH) after continuous versus accumulated isocaloric bouts of cycling. Ten pre-hypertensive men, aged 23 to 34 yrs, performed two bouts of cycling at 75% oxygen uptake reserve, with total energy expenditures of 400 kcal per bout. One exercise bout was performed continuously (CONTIN) and the other as two smaller bouts each expending 200 kcal (INTER1 and INTER2). Systolic blood pressure (SBP), diastolic blood pressure (DBP), mean arterial pressure (MAP), and cardiac autonomic control were monitored in a supine position for 10 min before and 60 min after each exercise bout, and during a control session. Compared to control, blood pressure was significantly reduced after CONTIN (SBP: ∆-3.4 mmHg, P < 0.001; MAP: ∆-2.5 mmHg, P = 0.001), INTER1 (SBP: ∆-2.2 mmHg, P = 0.045) and INTER2 (SBP: ∆-4.4 mmHg, P < 0.001; DBP: ∆-2.7 mmHg, P = 0.045; MAP: ∆-3.3 mmHg, P = 0.001). The PEH was similar in CONTIN and INTER2, while INTER2 elicited greater PEH than INTER1 (SBP and MAP: ∆-2.0 and ∆-1.8 mmHg, respectively, P < 0.05). Increases in sympathovagal balance from baseline were inversely related to changes in SBP and DBP after CONTIN and INTER2 (r = -0.64 to -0.71; P = 0.021 to P = 0.047). These findings indicate similar amounts of PEH are observed when exercise is performed as a single 400 kcal exercise bout or 2 x 200 kcal bouts and that the exercise recovery pattern of cardiac autonomic activity may be important in eliciting PEH

Quantification and Verification of Cardiorespiratory Fitness in Adults with Prehypertension

Background: Low cardiorespiratory fitness is associated with increased risk of hypertension and atherosclerosis in adults with prehypertension. The purpose of this study was to quantify cardiorespiratory fitness and to examine the utility of supramaximal constant-load verification testing for validating maximal oxygen uptake (VO2max) attainment in adults with prehypertension. Methods: Eleven adults (four women) with prehypertension (22.5 +/- 2.9 y; body mass index (BMI): 24.6 +/- 3.2 kg center dot m(2)) underwent an incremental exercise test followed 15 min later by a verification test at 105% of maximal work rate on a cycle ergometer. Results: There was no statistical difference in VO2 between the incremental (2.23 +/- 0.54 L center dot min(-1)) and verification tests (2.28 +/- 0.54 L center dot min(-1); p = 0.180). Only three out of eleven participants had a higher VO2 during the verification when compared with the incremental test. If the verification test had not been conducted, one participant would have been incorrectly classified as having low cardiorespiratory fitness based on incremental test results alone. Conclusions: Verification testing validates the attainment of VO2max and can potentially reduce the over-diagnosis of functional impairment (i.e., deconditioning) in adults with prehypertension

Assessing the economic impact of protected area tourism on local economies in Brazil

The objective of this study is to make the economic case for public investment in protected areas by estimating tourism’s direct and indirect benefits to local economies around protected areas in Brazil. The study site is the Abrolhos Marine National Park, which was established in 1983, covers over 91,000 hectares, and is roughly 67 kilometers off the southern coast of Bahia State, with its populated coastline, the Costa das Baleias (or Whale Coast). The region hosts major townships south of and including the city of Prado, namely Alcobaça, Caravelas and Teixeira de Freitas. The Park includes the five volcanic islands in the Abrolhos Archipelago, the largest whale nursery in the South Atlantic Ocean. The study affirms that investment in protected areas pays off, and is good for biodiversity conservation and the development of the local economy. The study found that the economic return per Real of government spending in protected areas is significantly greater than 1: economic returns of 6.2 Reais per Real of government spending are estimated for Abrolhos Marine National Park. Findings also show that spending by tourists visiting Abrolhos Marine National Park and the Whale Coast generates significant income multipliers for households in the local economy.O objetivo deste estudo é justificar economicamente o investimento público em áreas protegidas, estimando os benefícios diretos e indiretos do turismo para as economias locais em torno das áreas protegidas no Brasil. O local de estudo é o Parque Nacional Marinho dos Abrolhos, criado em 1983, com mais de 91.000 hectares, e situado a cerca de 67 quilômetros da costa sul do Estado da Bahia, com seu litoral povoado, a Costa das Baleias. A região abriga importantes municípios ao sul e inclusive a cidade de Prado, como Alcobaça, Caravelas e Teixeira de Freitas. O Parque inclui as cinco ilhas vulcânicas do Arquipélago de Abrolhos, o maior berçário de baleias do Atlântico Sul. O estudo afirma que o investimento em áreas protegidas é compensador, sendo benéfico para a conservação da biodiversidade e para o desenvolvimento da economia local. O estudo constatou que o retorno económico por real de gastos governamentais em áreas protegidas é significativamente maior do que 1: estima-se um retorno económico de 6,2 reais por real de gastos governamentais para o Parque Nacional Marinho dos Abrolhos. Os resultados também mostram que os gastos dos turistas que visitam o Parque Nacional Marinho dos Abrolhos e a Costa das Baleias geram multiplicadores de renda significativos para as famílias na economia local

Quantification and Verification of Cardiorespiratory Fitness in Adults with Prehypertension

Background: Low cardiorespiratory fitness is associated with increased risk of hypertension and atherosclerosis in adults with prehypertension. The purpose of this study was to quantify cardiorespiratory fitness and to examine the utility of supramaximal constant-load verification testing for validating maximal oxygen uptake (VO2max) attainment in adults with prehypertension. Methods: Eleven adults (four women) with prehypertension (22.5 ± 2.9 y; body mass index (BMI): 24.6 ± 3.2 kg·m2) underwent an incremental exercise test followed 15 min later by a verification test at 105% of maximal work rate on a cycle ergometer. Results: There was no statistical difference in VO2 between the incremental (2.23 ± 0.54 L·min−1) and verification tests (2.28 ± 0.54 L·min−1; p = 0.180). Only three out of eleven participants had a higher VO2 during the verification when compared with the incremental test. If the verification test had not been conducted, one participant would have been incorrectly classified as having low cardiorespiratory fitness based on incremental test results alone. Conclusions: Verification testing validates the attainment of VO2max and can potentially reduce the over-diagnosis of functional impairment (i.e., deconditioning) in adults with prehypertension

Quantification and Verification of Cardiorespiratory Fitness in Adults with Prehypertension

Background: Low cardiorespiratory fitness is associated with increased risk of hypertension and atherosclerosis in adults with prehypertension. The purpose of this study was to quantify cardiorespiratory fitness and to examine the utility of supramaximal constant-load verification testing for validating maximal oxygen uptake (VO2max) attainment in adults with prehypertension. Methods: Eleven adults (four women) with prehypertension (22.5 ± 2.9 y; body mass index (BMI): 24.6 ± 3.2 kg·m2) underwent an incremental exercise test followed 15 min later by a verification test at 105% of maximal work rate on a cycle ergometer. Results: There was no statistical difference in VO2 between the incremental (2.23 ± 0.54 L·min−1) and verification tests (2.28 ± 0.54 L·min−1; p = 0.180). Only three out of eleven participants had a higher VO2 during the verification when compared with the incremental test. If the verification test had not been conducted, one participant would have been incorrectly classified as having low cardiorespiratory fitness based on incremental test results alone. Conclusions: Verification testing validates the attainment of VO2max and can potentially reduce the over-diagnosis of functional impairment (i.e., deconditioning) in adults with prehypertension.</jats:p