Abstract
PURPOSE: To compare the effects of HIIT and CAE on changes in blood pressure reduction and endothelial function in hypertensive patients. METHODS: Seventeen hypertensive patients, aged 52.1±7.6, participated in this study, tapered off their medications, if necessary, and were randomized to either HIIT (n=9) or CAE (n=8) group. HIIT was composed of 5 sets of 3 min exercise at 80% HRR, and each interval was separated by 3 min recovery at 40% HRR. CAE was composed of 35 min exercise at 60% HRR. Both groups were designed to use same energy expenditure, and performed exercise 5 days per week for 4 weeks. Endothelial function was determined by assessing endothelial progenitor cells (EPCs) using flow cytometry and flow mediated dilation (FMD) using ultrasonography. Arterial stiffness was measured by pulse wave velocity (PWV). Systolic blood pressure (SBP) and diastolic blood pressure (DBP) were measured at rest and during exercise at 60% HRR by using automatic blood pressure monitor. RESULTS: At rest, SBP was significantly decreased in HIIT (p<0.01) and CAE (p<0.05), and DBP was significantly decreased in HIIT (p<0.001), but not in CAE. During exercise, SBP was significantly decreased in CAE (p<0.05), but not in HIIT, and DBP was significantly decreased in HIIT (p<0.01), but not in CAE. FMD and EPCs were significantly improved in HIIT (p<0.01 and p<0.05, respectively), but not in CAE. There were significantly different changes in DBP during exercise and EPCs between groups (p<0.05). However, PWV was not changed in both groups. CONCLUSIONS: The results of this study suggest that HIIT and CAE equally have beneficial effects on blood pressure reduction at rest and during exercise. However, HIIT may improve endothelial function greater than CAE. Therefore, HIIT could be a better exercise program than CAE for hypertensive patients.
Published Version
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