Ambulatory blood pressure response to a bout of HIIT in metabolic syndrome patients

Abstract

This study suggests that the blood pressure reducing effect of a bout of exercise is influence by the intensity of exercise. A HIIT exercise bout is superior to an equivalent bout of continuous exercise when used as a non-pharmacological aid in the treatment of hypertension in MetS.

Effects of intense aerobic exercise and/or antihypertensive medication in individuals with metabolic syndrome

“…Following, in the trials with exercise (PLAC+EXER and AHM+EXER trial) subjects pedaled during 43 min alternating high (90% of HR PEAK ) and low intensities (70% HR PEAK ) since data supports the effectiveness of this exercise mode to lower BP in the short and long term. In the non‐exercise trials (AHM and PLAC trials), subjects remained resting supine during those 43 min.…”

“…[5][6][7] In contrast, others studies show that intense exercise results in larger post-exercise BP reductions than moderate intensity aerobic exercise [8][9][10] and that the lowering effects last longer. [10][11][12] Regarding the exercise mode, it seems that a combination of resistance and endurance exercise is also effective on reducing BP 13 although its actions do not last as long as after aerobic exercise in elderly individuals with essential hypertension. 14 Furthermore, some authors are proposing frequent short bouts of exercise during the day instead a single bout of exercise to spread the BP lowering effects 15,16 although the compliance with this exercise regime is unclear.…”

“…Although high intensity exercise results in accumulation of heat and metabolites which could induce vasodilation, some studies sustain that exercise intensity does not affect the magnitude of post‐exercise BP lowering effect . In contrast, others studies show that intense exercise results in larger post‐exercise BP reductions than moderate intensity aerobic exercise and that the lowering effects last longer . Regarding the exercise mode, it seems that a combination of resistance and endurance exercise is also effective on reducing BP although its actions do not last as long as after aerobic exercise in elderly individuals with essential hypertension .…”

Post-exercise Hypotension Produced by Supramaximal Interval Exercise is Potentiated by Angiotensin Receptor Blockers

“…For this reason, several studies have been carried out in recent decades to clarify the most effective type, duration and intensity of exercise to achieve a subsequent long-lasting reduction of blood pressure [26]. Recent data from our and other laboratories [6,10,11] suggests that a bout of intense interval exercise could result in PEH greater in magnitude and duration than moderately-intense continuous exercise. However, to our knowledge, the effects of aerobic exercise at supramaximal intensities (SIE, i. e., > 100 % peak power output) on blood pressure response in a hypertensive population has not been explored.…”

“…However, since lack of time is one of the main reasons for not exercising, low volume high-intensity interval training (HIIT) has emerged as an option to fight hypertension [5]. Evidence is also accumulating to suggest that intense exercise could result in PEH greater in magnitude and/or duration than when using moderately-intense continuous exercise [6,10,11]. Inspired by the large differences in PEH when increasing exercise intensity from continuous to HIIT, we speculat-ed that shorter bouts of higher exercise intensity (supramaximal exercise) could be even more efficacious on acutely lowering blood pressure (i. e., in the 24-hr post-exercise period).…”