Evaluating the seasonal variations in the circulatory dynamics of community-dwelling older people while exercising outdoors in the early morning

[Purpose] We aimed to evaluate the risk to clarify the seasonal variations in the circulatory dynamics of community-dwelling older people performing early morning outdoor exercises. [Participants and Methods] This study included 76 community-dwelling older adults (42 men, mean age: 76.9 ± 5.0 years; 34 women, mean age: 74.0 ± 4.2 years) who perform early morning exercises. The prevalence of hypertension among these adults was assessed, and their blood pressure and pulse rate were obtained before and after performing a 30-minute exercise using automatic and aneroid type sphygmomanometers while sitting on a chair. Further, we calculated the double product by multiplying systolic blood pressure and pulse rate. We analyzed the changes in the pre- and post-exercise systolic blood pressure, diastolic blood pressure, pulse rate, double product, diagnosis of hypertension, and seasonal factors (moderate-temperature season/low-temperature season). [Results] Thirty-five participants were assigned in the hypertension diagnosis group, while 40 participants were in the non-hypertension group. There was no significant difference in the mean age between the two groups. The main effects and interactions were not confirmed in relation to systolic blood pressure, diastolic blood pressure, pulse rate, and double product. [Conclusion] Essentially, blood pressure should be obtained before exercise, as individuals with hypertension are more likely to have an increase in baseline systolic blood pressure while exercising in the early morning during the low-temperature seasons.