Comparison of Cycling and Cross Trainer on Rate Pressure Product in Hypertensive Patients: A Cross-Sectional Study

Introduction: The Rate pressure product is the valuable marker of cardiac function. It is the product of heart rate and systolic blood pressure. It plays a pivotal role in understanding the relationship between exercise and the cardiovascular system, particularly in hypertensive individuals. Hypertension is a primary risk factor for coronary heart disease, stroke, congestive heart failure, renal failure and peripheral vascular disease. The aim of the study is to determine the effect of cycling and cross trainer on rate pressure product in hypertensive patients. Methodology: A cross-sectional study includes 30 hypertensive patients with age group of 25-65 years and those who have any recent surgery or any neurological or psychological issues are excluded. Patients vitals were monitored pre exercise. Every patient does exercise on both cross trainer and cycling for 15 min each on alternate day to avoid superimpose effect of each other. Rate pressure product was calculated and compared between cross trainer and cycling exercise. Result: Result has been obtained from SPSS 20. Mean age of patients is 45.9+10.2. Comparison between cycling and cross trainer found using independent t-test (t=-2.534). There was significant difference of RPP between patients performing cycling and cross trainer. RPP of cross trainer (mean=19.09) is more than RPP of cycling (mean=18.14) having significant difference p<0.05. Conclusion: This study concluded that there is greater rate pressure product during cross trainer exercise than in cycling. This shows that more myocardial oxygen consumption is greater in cross trainer as it involves both upper and lower extremity. So, cross trainer and cycling can be used effectively for exercise prescription and preventing cardiovascular risk in hypertensive patients, but the cycling was more effective as the mean difference was low compared to cross trainer. Keywords: Static cycling, rate pressure product, cross trainer, hypertension