Changes in Intraocular Pressure in Response to Moderately Intense Aerobic Exercise in Young Adults

Objective: To determine the effects of moderately intense aerobic exercise on intraocular pressure in young healthy adults. Methods: Twenty-eight volunteers performed moderately intense aerobic exercise for 30 minutes on a treadmill in this prospective study. Measurements of intraocular pressure (IOP), blood pressure and ocular perfusion pressure (OPP) were taken before and after exercise for 10, 20 and 30 minutes and after rest for 10 and 30 minutes. IOP was measured by iCare tonometry. Blood pressure was measured by an electronic sphygmomanometer. OPP was calculated using the formula, OPP=2/3 MAP (mean arterial pressure)-IOP. A repeated measures analysis was used to compare IOP, SBP, DBP and OPP. Results: Finally, 27 cases 27 eyes were included. ①There was a statistically significant difference (F=75.0, P<0.001) in IOP at baseline, and after moderately intense aerobic exercise for 10, 20 and 30 minutes and after rest for 10 and 30 minutes. IOP at 10, 20 and 30 minutes of exercise was significantly lower than that at baseline (all P<0.001). ②There were statistically significant differences (F=31.7, P<0.001; F=19.7, P<0.001) in the SBP and DBP at baseline, and after moderately intense aerobic exercise for 10, 20 and 30 minutes and after rest for 10 and 30 minutes. SBP and DBP at 10, 20 and 30 minutes of exercise were significantly higher than that at baseline (all P<0.001). ③There was a statistically significant difference (F=56.9, P<0.001) in the OPP at baseline, and after moderately intense aerobic exercise for 10, 20 and 30 minutes and after rest for 10 and 30 minutes. OPP at 10, 20 and 30 minutes of exercise was significantly higher than that at baseline (all P<0.001). ④There were no statistically significant differences in IOP, SBP, DBP or OPP at baseline and after rest for 10 and 30 minutes. Conclusion: There is a significant decrease in IOP and significant increase in SBP, DBP and OPP following moderately intense aerobic exercise. After 10 minutes of rest, IOP, SBP, DBP and OPP return to baseline. Key words: aerobic exercise; intraocular pressure; systolic blood pressure; diastolic blood pressure; ocular perfusion pressure