The Effect of Exercise for the Elderly on Blood Pressure Reduction in Menopausal Women in Bongo III Village, Wonosari District, Boalemo Regency

Abstract

Hypertension constitutes a significant health issue in menopausal women, attributed to physiological and hormonal alterations that elevate the risk of cardiovascular disease. Regular physical activity, including exercise for the elderly, is advised as a non-pharmacological strategy to manage blood pressure, particularly within community settings. This study is to examine the impact of exercise on blood pressure reduction among older menopausal women in Bongo III Village, Wonosari District, Boalemo Regency. This research employed a quasi-experimental design with a one-group pretest-posttest methodology. The sample comprised 50 menopausal women recruited by purposive sampling. The elderly gymnastics intervention was conducted consistently over a three-month period. Systolic and diastolic blood pressure were assessed prior to and subsequent to the intervention utilizing established protocols. Data analysis was conducted both descriptively and inferentially utilizing a paired t-test at a significance level of 0.05. The findings indicated that physical activity among the elderly substantially reduced blood pressure. A notable reduction in systolic and diastolic blood pressure occurred following the intervention. The distribution of blood pressure categories indicated a transition from grade I and II hypertension to prehypertension and normal categories among the majority of respondents. These data demonstrate a clinical enhancement in blood pressure levels. In conclusion, exercise for the elderly serves as an effective non-pharmacological strategy for reducing blood pressure in menopausal women. This program has the capacity to be included into community-based public health initiatives as a promotional and preventive strategy for hypertension management.