Effect Of Interval Training On Blood Pressure And Exercise Capacity In Hypertension: A Randomized Controlled Study

Abstract

Mean arterial blood pressure (MAP) is a determinant of cardiovascular risk in patient with hypertension. The primary purpose of the present study was to investigate the effect of interval training program on MAP in black African subjects with hypertension. Two hundred and forty five male patients with mild to moderate (Systolic Blood Pressure [SBP] between 140-179 & Diastolic Blood Pressure [DBP] between 90-109 mmHg) essential hypertension were age-matched and randomly assigned to interval(n=140) and control groups (n=105). The interval (work: rest ratio of 1:1) groups involved in an 8-weeks interval training programs of between 45-60  minutes, at intensities of 60-79% of HR max, while the control group remained sedentary during this period. SBP, DBP, VO₂max and MAP were assessed. Findings of the study revealed significant correlation between MAP and BP (SBP, r=.958; DBP, r=.342); correlation of MAP with SBP was much stronger (54% variance). Also, there was significant effect of exercise training program on MAP (p=0.000). Changes in VO₂max also negatively correlated with changes in MAP (r= -.237) at p<0.05. It was concluded that moderate intensity interval training programs is effective in the non-pharmacological management of hypertension and may prevent cardiovascular event through the down regulation of MAP in hypertension. Our findings support the recommendations of moderate intensity interval training program as an adjunct non-pharmacological management of essential hypertension.

Key words: Hypertension; Interval exercise; Mean arterial blood pressure; Blood pressure