The purpose of this study was to examine effects of aging on blood pressure responses to the isometoric exercises with or without head-out water immersion (HOWI). Eight young subjects (25.0 ± 2.1years old: young group) and eight elderly subjects (53.6 ± 4.3years old: elderly group) performed knee extension exercises with (WI) or without (C) immersion to the xiphoid in thermoneutral water (34.6 ± 1.5℃). In the elderly group, systemic blood pressure (BP) and heart rate (HR) were significantly higher than in the young group during rest in C condition, and there was no significant change in BP and HR with HOWI. Although there was a tendency to increase in BP with a concomitant increase in exercise intensities, BP in WI condition was significantly lower than in C condition during mild to moderate exercise intensities (10% to 30%MVC) in the elderly group. These results suggest that the light exercise in water may be more safe than on land for the elderly with high blood pressure.

DESCENTE SPORTS SCIENCE Vol.20/THE DESCENTE AND ISHIMOTO MEMORIAL FOUNDATION FOR THE PROMOTION SPORTS SCIENCE