PMID 36005410

Research
All papers

Effectiveness of High-Intensity Interval Training and Continuous Moderate-Intensity Training on Blood Pressure in Physically Inactive Pre-Hypertensive Young Adults

John AT, Chowdhury M, Islam MR, Mir IA, Hasan MZ, Chong CY, Humayra S, Higashi Y

Question

Are treadmill HIIT and continuous moderate training effective for lowering resting blood pressure in physically inactive young adults with pre-hypertension?

Summary

In physically inactive young adults with pre-hypertension, a short treadmill HIIT program reduced systolic and diastolic blood pressure and mean arterial pressure, while continuous moderate training reduced systolic pressure only. Two participants in the HIIT group dropped out due to musculoskeletal injury.

Methodology

  • Physically inactive pre-hypertensive young adults
  • 32 participants.
  • Treadmill.
  • Work intervals: 1 min at 80-85% HR reserve.
  • Recovery: 4 min at 40-60% HR reserve.
  • Intensity: 80-85% HR reserve work.
  • 20 min main set plus warm-up/cool-down.
  • 3 sessions/week.
  • 4 weeks after familiarization.
  • Randomized controlled trial
  • Systolic BP, Diastolic BP, Mean arterial pressure, and Dropout were tracked.

Outcomes

Systolic BP

HIIT and CMT both significantly reduced SBP, with significant overall group differences.

HIIT mean difference 3.76 mmHg, p=0.002; CMT 1.57 mmHg, p=0.011; ANOVA p=0.014.

Improved

Diastolic BP

DBP decreased significantly only in the HIIT group.

HIIT mean difference 2.93 mmHg, p=0.002; CMT p=0.161; control p=0.714.

Improved

MAP

MAP decreased significantly in HIIT and differed between HIIT and control.

HIIT mean difference 3.05, p<0.0005; HIIT vs control p=0.013.

Improved

Safety

Two HIIT participants dropped out due to musculoskeletal injury.

2/12 randomized to HIIT dropped out in weeks 3-4.

Safety concern

Insights

  • For inactive pre-hypertensive young adults, HR-based HIIT can lower BP but needs careful injury-risk management.
  • A familiarization week is a practical safety step before higher-intensity treadmill intervals.

Limitations

  • Small sample
  • Short intervention
  • Sex imbalance
  • Control diet adherence not directly monitored
  • Two HIIT injury dropouts

Safety

  • Two male HIIT participants dropped out due to musculoskeletal injury.
  • Participants with musculoskeletal problems were excluded at baseline.