# Effects of 12-week aquatic HIIT on blood pressure lipid profile and BaPWV in postmenopausal women with different ACE genotypes

PMID: 41606075
Journal: Scientific Reports
Published: 2026 Jan 28
Authors: Zhou WS, Li YH, Xu N, Liu BF, Li ZH, Gu SJ, Zhang RY, Xuan-Xu, Yan C, Wang QY, Sun L, Gu M, Zhu TQ, Tian L

## Question

Do ACE genotypes modify blood pressure, lipid, and arterial stiffness responses to aquatic HIIT in postmenopausal women?

## Summary

This 12-week supervised aquatic HIIT study in postmenopausal women found some within-group blood pressure and lipid changes, but no adjusted between-genotype blood-pressure differences. Arterial stiffness increased, especially in ID/DD genotype participants, so the authors emphasized monitoring.

## Population

- Postmenopausal women stratified by ACE genotype
- Sample size: 47
- Age: 45-75 years; group means about 57-59
- Sex: Women
- Health status: Postmenopausal, some with hypertension; major diseases excluded

## Methodology

- Non-randomized genotype-stratified intervention study
- 12 weeks
- Supervised aquatic exercise program

## Protocol

- 12-week aquatic HIIT.
- Modality: Aquatic resistance and jump training.
- Work intervals: 30-second resistance or jump bouts.
- Recovery: 30-second rest in resistance segments; 60-second active recovery after jump bouts.
- Sets or repetitions: Three 10-minute blocks.
- Intensity: 75% HRR for jumps, RPE 17-19 for resistance.
- Session duration: 40 minutes.
- Frequency: 3 sessions/week.
- Program length: 12 weeks.
- Progression: Week 1 adaptation, then prescribed HRR/RPE targets.

## Outcomes

### Blood pressure
Status: mixed
II group improved within-group, but adjusted between-genotype BP differences were not significant.

II SBP/DBP/MAP p=0.023/0.041/0.020.

### Arterial stiffness
Status: worse/safety concern
BaPWV increased, especially in ID/DD participants.

ID/DD right/left p=0.013/0.002; II right p=0.019.

### Lipids
Status: improved
HDL increased and LDL decreased within both groups.

Within-group p<0.05; TG lower in ID/DD than II post-intervention p=0.000.

### Body composition
Status: worse/safety concern
Weight, BMI, and body fat percentage increased in both groups.

## Practical Insights

- Aquatic HIIT can achieve high attendance under close supervision.
- Vascular safety monitoring matters even when a modality is low-impact.

## Limitations

- Non-randomized genotype comparison.
- No true control group.
- Small sample and underpowered relative to target.
- Diet and medication context may confound results.

## Safety And Adherence

- Adverse events were not reported.
- Participants were screened with PAR-Q and exclusions for severe musculoskeletal, cardiovascular/cerebrovascular, metabolic, and cognitive disorders.
- Sessions were supervised by four certified instructors with HR and RPE monitoring.
- Arterial stiffness increased after training; authors advised routine monitoring.

## Original Sources

- [PubMed](https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/41606075/) (pubmed)
- [DOI](https://doi.org/10.1038/s41598-026-36835-1) (doi)
- [PMC full text](https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC12909828/) (full text)

## Agent Guidance

Preserve the paper-level scope of this note. Do not generalize beyond the population, protocol, measured outcomes, and limitations above.