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Fit individuals experience more stable IOP during exercise
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Individuals with high fitness levels show lower IOP and ocular perfusion pressure during a maximal treadmill text compared to individuals of a lower fitness level, whose IOP and ocular perfusion pressure increased, according to a study published in the European Journal of Ophthalmology.
Researchers hypothesized that while an individualized exercise prescription is preferable for overall health and cognitive function, individuals with lower fitness levels might experience negative effects if attempting high-intensity exercise.
The physiological effects of this on hormonal and cardiovascular mechanisms have already been noted, but not in regard to ocular physiology.
IOP was measured in 31 members of the Spanish Army who were divided into two groups: 16 trained individuals and 15 untrained individuals. Participants were subjected to a maximal treadmill test where they were individually brought to maximal aerobic capacity. Researchers collected measurement of IOP and blood pressure before effort, just after volitional exhaustion and after 5 and 15 minutes of recovery, according to the study.
Investigators found that exercise increased both IOP and ocular perfusion pressure (OPP) after volitional exhaustion and returned to normal after the 5- and 15-minute recovery period. Individuals in the untrained group exhibited a significantly higher IOP measurement compared to the trained participants. Following the 5-minute recovery period, the IOP and OPP measurements of subjects in the untrained group had yet to return to normal levels.
Researchers saw that trained individuals showed more stable IOP and OPP levels when undergoing high intensity exercise. However, the differences between OPP for the trained and untrained groups were minimal.
According to the study, these data suggest that individuals with higher fitness levels are more likely to be able to attenuate acute IOP and blood pressure peaks brought on by high-intensity exercise.
Researchers concluded that high-intensity exercise should be discouraged in low-fit patients; higher fitness levels allow the stabilization of both IOP and OPP responses; and a progressive approach to physical training would seem to be the most appropriate prescription. – by Scott Buzby
Disclosure: The authors reported no relevant financial disclosures.
Perspective
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Mark Eltis, OD, FAAO
There was a time when patients would consider a nonprescription solution as a dismissal of their concern. There’s been a noticeable trend toward more natural treatment and prevention. Today perhaps the most frequently asked question by glaucoma suspects and sufferers is whether there is some lifestyle modification that can help their condition. While there is little scientific evidence to date, common sense would suggest a healthy diet and physical activity to be beneficial.
This study validates such thinking and suggests that patients who are physically fit reduce their IOP and OPP fluctuations during highly demanding physical activity. However, sedentary patients who were confronted with immediate highly demanding exercise had greater IOP and OPP fluctuations (potential risk factors for progression). This suggests a continual benefit to being a high-fit individual in the battle against glaucoma progression. Low-fit patients who are looking to make a change should be encouraged to go slow, as an abrupt dive into high exertion exercise can perhaps initially do more harm than good.
This topic clearly needs more research, as the study had various limitations (only men were enrolled) but does validate the common sense “healthy living “and “slow and steady” approach to prevention.
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