The Effects of a Jump Rope Exercise Program on Vascular Health, Inflammatory Markers in Prehypertensive Adolescent Girls

The Effects of a 12-Week Jump Rope Exercise Training Program on Arterial Stiffness, Vasodilating and Vasoconstricting Factors, Inflammatory Markers, and Body Composition in Prehypertensive Adolescent Girls

The purpose of this study was to examine the impact of a 12-week jump rope exercise program on blood pressure, arterial stiffness, vasodilating and vasoconstricting factors, inflammatory markers, and body composition in prehypertensive adolescent girls. Forty prehypertensive adolescent girls participated in this study. The girls were randomly divided into the jump rope exercise intervention group (EX, n=20) and control group (CON, n=20). The EX group performed a jump rope training program at 40-70% of their heart rate reserve (HRR) 5 days/week for 12 weeks (sessions 50 minutes in duration). The CON group did not participate in any structured or unstructured exercise protocol. Blood pressure, arterial stiffness, plasma nitrate/nitrite levels, endothelin-1, C-reactive protein, and body composition were measured before and after the 12-weeks study.

Inclusion Criteria:

• prehypertensive
• sedentary (no regular exercise training or physical activity within the last year)
• no weight loss diet during the last six months

Exclusion Criteria:

• pregnancy
• chronic disease
• daily medication use (including antioxidants and weight loss supplements)