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Virginia Polytechnic Institute and State University

The effect of an aerobic exercise program and two hypocaloric diets of different carbohydrate content on blood pressure and sodium balance in obese females

Abstract

dc:description.abstract

Twelve obese normotensive females were studied to determine the effects of either a 71% carbohydrate (HC) hypocaloric diet or a 33% carbohydrate (LC) hypocaloric diet concommitant with an aerobic exercise program on sodium (Na) balance and blood pressure changes. Subjects participated three times a week in a submaximal periodic exercise session and were placed on one of the diets for 28 days. Posttreatment, each participant consumed a 1000 kcal mixed diet while remaining in the exercise program. Daily Na losses were measured by 24 hr urine collection, and blood pressure measurements were made weekly. Both treatment groups significantly decreased in weight with LC losing more than HC (8.0 kg by LC group; 6.7 kg by HC group). Although urine Na balance was negative for the first 2 days of both VLCD's, Na excretion fell over time to result in net Na retention over the experimental period. Though the LC group lost more Na during the first week than EC during subsequent weeks, the differences between groups were nonsignificant. There were no significant differences between groups in serum Na or urine Na balance. However, Na urinary loss significantly decreased across time. Both systolic and diastolic blood pressure decreased non-significantly an average of 4% from baseline values throughout the treatment (5.2/4.0 mmHg in the HC group and 4.3/2.3 mmHg in the LC group). Carbohydrate inclusion in both diets was found to be effective in retaining Na after 4 days on a VLCD. Changes on different postural positions did not reveal evidence of hypotension. Overweight normotensive individuals did not reduce blood pressure values below normal levels.

Degree

thesis:*
Name thesis:degree_name
M.S.
Level thesis:degree_level
masters
Department dc:contributor.department
Education
Grantor dc:publisher
Virginia Polytechnic Institute and State University
Year dc:date.issued
1984

Author and committee

dc:creator, dc:contributor.*
Author dc:creator
  • Ruiz, Karina

Rights

dc:rights
Statement dc:rights
  • In Copyright
Language dc:language.iso
en_US

Identifiers

dc:identifier.*
Handle dc:identifier.uri
http://hdl.handle.net/10919/87640
OAI identifier oai:identifier
oai:vtechworks.lib.vt.edu:10919/87640

Chain of custody

source
Harvested from
Virginia Tech
Base URL
vtechworks.lib.vt.edu/oai/request
Last updated
2026-07-22
Source record
OAI-PMH GetRecord
related terms
citation

Ruiz, Karina. The effect of an aerobic exercise program and two hypocaloric diets of different carbohydrate content on blood pressure and sodium balance in obese females. masters thesis, Virginia Polytechnic Institute and State University, 1984. http://hdl.handle.net/10919/87640