Short Communication: JRCRS. 2024; 12(4):230-233.
12- Baroreflex Sensitivity and Its Association with Physical Activity in Elderly Population
Maheen Farooq1, Maryam Tahir2, Sana Bashir3, Iram Farooq4, Madiha Shamraiz5
1 Demonstrator at Foundation University Islamabad (FUI), Pakistan
2 4 5 Student at Foundation University Islamabad (FUI), Pakistan
3 Assistant Professor at Foundation University Islamabad (FUI), Pakistan
ABSTRACT:
Baroreflex sensitivity is a negative feedback mechanism that is responsible for buffering or maintaining blood pressure in its normal range. The literature indicates that baroreflex sensitivity naturally declines with age, leading to a higher risk of developing hypertension. Therefore, the study aimed to measure the frequency of sensitivity and determine its association with physical activity among the elderly. The study duration was 6 months (February – July 2019) with 201 participants from Rawalpindi/Islamabad. The sample size was calculated using Raosoft. Healthy elderly participants aged above 60 years, both sedentary, and active elderly participants were included and the Physical Activity Readiness Questionnaire (PAR-Q) was used as a pre-screening tool to exclude high-risk populations. The International Physical Activity Questionnaire (IPAQ) categorized physically active to sedentary participants. Baroreflex sensitivity was assessed via the Valsalva maneuver. Pre and post-values of Blood pressure, pulse, Oxygen saturation, and Valsalva Maneuver were obtained. Out of 201 participants, according to IPAQ categories, 139(69.2%) participants were vigorously active, 48(23.9%) were moderately active and 14(7.0%) were not active (Sedentary). The Spearman’s-Rho test was applied to find the correlation among all variables, which showed that only pulse and physical activity had a significant association between each other. The study concluded that there was no significant association between physical activity and baroreflex sensitivity except pulse.
KEYWORDS: Baroreflex, Elderly, Valsalva’s Maneuver