Effects Of 12-week Walking/ Square Dancing On Ecg Abnormalities During Gxt In Hypertensive Patients

PURPOSE: This study aims to assess the effects of walking and square dancing on exercise-induced electrocardiogram (ECG) abnormalities in hypertensive patients. METHODS: 197 grade 1 hypertensive patients, aged between 40 and 69 years, completed 12-week interventions. Participants were grouped based on theoretical models of behavior change and individual preferences: 81 in the control group, 87 in the walking group, and 29 in the square dancing group. A graded exercise test (GXT) was conducted on a bicycle ergometer before and after the interventions. 12-lead ECG recordings were obtained during GXT and were classified as normal, suspicious positive, and positive, according to the ACSM Exercise Test and Exercise Prescription Guidelines, 10th Edition. The prevalence of ECG abnormalities (suspicious positive and positive) was calculated and the Kruskal-Wallis H test was applied to compare the differences between groups. Wilcoxon Signed Rank Test was applied to compare the differences within groups. RESULTS: The GXT results showed the prevalence of ECG-positive was 20.81%, while the suspicious positive prevalence was 37.56%. The GXT results of the within-group comparisons showed that after interventions, the control group exhibited no significant difference compared to the baseline (Z = - 0.258, P = 0.796). In contrast, the walking group showed significant differences relative to baseline (Z = - 2.063, P = 0.034), as did the square dancing group (Z = - 2.646, P = 0.008). Baseline GXT results showed no significant differences among groups, but significant differences emerged after 12-week interventions. Specifically, the mean rank of the walking group was significantly lower than that of the control group (P = 0.008), and the mean rank of the square dancing group was significantly lower than that of the control group (P = 0.001). No significant difference was found between the walking and the square dancing group (P = 0.763). CONCLUSIONS: 12-week walking and square dancing can lower abnormal ECG prevalence during GXT in grade 1 hypertension patients, improve exercise adaptability, and increase safe exercise intensity upper limit. Supported by Research on Prevention and Control of Major Chronic Non-communicable Diseases (2016YFC1300202).