PHYSICAL INACTIVITY DURING THE COVID-19 PANDEMIC IN ELDERLY PEOPLE WITH HYPERTENSION

Abstract

Physical inactivity causes negative physiological responses such as: insulin resistance, subclinical inflammation, amino acid catabolism, increased blood pressure, pain and increased risk of morbimortality. Social distancing implemented worldwide and in several states in Brazil has impacted physical inactivity and sedentary behavior among the general population. The objective of our study was to test the association of physical inactivity and/or reduced levels of physical activity during the COVID-19 pandemic on the lipid profile, glycated hemoglobin and blood pressure in elderly people with hypertension. Eleven participants were evaluated before and after six months of social distancing and interruption of the physical training program. Our findings demonstrated an association between program interruption and physical inactivity with an increase in systolic blood pressure 14.7% (p<0.05), diastolic 12.7% (p<0.05), glycated hemoglobin 25.4% (p<0.05), triglycerides 36% (p<0.05) and BMI of 2.9% (P<0.05) in elderly people with hypertension. No differences were found in total cholesterol, HDL-cholesterol and LDL-cholesterol. Thus, the reduction in levels of physical activity and/or physical inactivity during the COVID-19 pandemic was associated with negative effects on different biochemical, anthropometric and hemodynamic markers. Therefore, practicing physical activity safely is an essential component for maintaining cardiometabolic markers during social distancing.