[Changes in the electrophysiological parameters of hypertensives under the influence of therapeutic swimming]

Studies were carried out on patients with hypertension I and II stages to examine the influence of therapeutic swimming on cerebral activity and heart function. The authors investigated 30 persons (mean age of 48.5 +/- 9.5 years) divided into 2 groups: first--experimental including 20 subjects, who participated in a course of therapeutic swimming (according to our methods) for a period of 4 months and second--control, composed of 10 persons, who did not swim. Electroencephalograms and electrocardiograms were recorded from subjects of both groups before and after 4 months of swimming as simultaneously with this blood pressure was measured several times. The results showed that therapeutic swimming affected favourably brain bioelectrical activity (improved regulation and modulation of the rhythm, reduced dysrhythmia and did not increase the number of pathological waves) as well as cardiovascular system of the examined persons with hypertension of the experimental group as statistically significant lowering of blood pressure was induced, while the investigated parameters showed opposite reactions in the persons of the control group. On the basis of positive changes in the investigated parameters the therapeutic swimming is recommended to be included in the complex the therapy of the persons suffering from hypertension I and II stages.