The Effects of Aerobic Exercise on Intraocular Pressure

P.Elmurr, BAppSc(Syd), DOBA
M.Thompson, DipPE, TSTC(Melb), AdvDipPE(Leeds), MSc(Loughborough), PhD(Lond)
H.Goodacre, DipAppSc(Cumb), DOBA, MHlthScEd(Syd)

Intra pressure (IOP) measurements were taken on nine subjects at rest and at two standardised workload levels after aerobic exercise was performed on a bicycle ergometer. The mean resting IOP was 15.22mmHg and after four minutes of cycling at 55% of the subjects maximal aerobic capacity (V02 max), the mean IOP dropped to 12.25 mmHg. A further four minutes of cycling at 75% of V02 max showed a further drop to a mean IOP of 10.30mmHg. The results of this study confirm the observation of other studies, that moderate aerobic exercise significantly lowers IOP. The implications of aerobic exercise reducing IOP glaucoma patients is discussed.