| Objective: To evaluate the effect of "square dance" activities on ambulatory blood pressure, biology and psychosomatic symptoms of perimenopausal women with hypertension. Methods: This study was conducted on some communities and 55 participants were included, who were all perimenopausal women diagnosed with hypertension in physical examination. The 55 women voluntarily participated in the "square dance" activities (60 to 120 min at a time, 5 to 7 times per week). Fifty-two age-matched, sex-matched and blood pressure-matched perimenopausal women were selected as controls, who did not participate in any fitness activities. Biological indicators (24-h ambulatory blood pressure, body mass index, serum lipid, sex hormone) and the psychosomatic symptoms (accessed by Kupperman self-rating scale) were compared between the two groups in the beginning and 3 months later, respectively. Results: After 3 months, the values of mean systolic blood pressure, mean diastolic blood pressure, day systolic blood pressure, day diastolic blood pressure, night systolic blood pressure, night diastolic blood pressure, body mass index, follicle stimulating hormone, luteinizing hormone, total cholesterol and triglyceride concentrations in the square dance group were significantly lower than those in the beginning of square dance group and those in the control group, while the values of blood estradiol, progesterone, testosterone and HDL-C concentrations in square dance group were significantly higher than those in the beginning of square dance group and higher than those in the control group (P<0.01, or <0.05). After 6 months, scores of most items and total scores of Kupperman in square dance group were significantly lower than those in the beginning and those in the control group (P<0.01, or <0.05). Conclusion: "Square dance" activity can significantly improve body mass index, blood pressure, sex hormone, serum lipid and related biological indicators and psychosomatic symptoms of menopause among perimenopausal women with hypertension. |
