The high-intensity interval training introduced in physical education lessons decrease systole in high blood pressure adolescents

Marek Popowczak,Jarosław Domaradzki,Andrzej Rokita,Dawid Koźlenia

doi:10.1038/s41598-022-06017-w

Marek Popowczak, Jarosław Domaradzki + Show 2 more

Open Access

https://doi.org/10.1038/s41598-022-06017-w

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Abstract

Increased resting blood pressure (BP) is a risk factor for many health complications. The prevalence of elevated BP is growing among adolescents. There is a need to investigate effective ways of decreasing excessive blood pressure in this age group. The study aim was to determine the effect of 10-weeks High-Intensive Interval Training (HIIT)—Tabata protocol—introduced in physical education (PE) lessons on resting blood pressure in adolescents. The sample included 52 boys aged 16.23 ± 0.33 years body height176.74 ± 6.07 (m), body weight 65.42 ± 12.51 (kg), BMI 20.89 ± 3.53 (kg/m2) and 89 girls aged 16.12 ± 0.42 years, body height 164.38 ± 6.54 (m), body weight 56.71 ± 10.23 (kg), BMI 20.93 ± 3.08 (kg/m2) from secondary school. Based on resting BP, the fractions of boys and girls with normal BP and high BP were identified and divided into experimental (EG) and control (CG) groups. EG completed a 10-weeks HIIT program (three cycles of Tabata protocol) implemented in one PE lesson during a week. The duration of the effort was 14 min. The intensity was at 75–80% of maximal heart rate. Changes in systolic and diastolic BP after the experiment were examined. The results indicated the improvement in SBP in EG with high BP compared to the rest of the groups (average reduction of 12.77 mmHg; p < 0.0001). The EG normotensive had a statistically significant higher reduction of SBP comparing CG normotensive (average decrease of 1.81 mmHG; p = 0.0089). HIIT effectively decreases BP in adolescents. Implementing HIIT in PE lessons in secondary school is recommended to improve BP parameters.

Highlights

Increased resting blood pressure (BP) is a risk factor for many health complications
Body height and body weight measurements were added to the analysis of covariance (ANCOVA) as covariates
Sex was not a factor that interacted with the effects of High-Intensive Interval Training (HIIT) and blood pressure status, which confirmed the lack of statistically significant interactions (Table 2)

Summary

Introduction

Increased resting blood pressure (BP) is a risk factor for many health complications. The study aim was to determine the effect of 10-weeks High-Intensive Interval Training (HIIT)—Tabata protocol—introduced in physical education (PE) lessons on resting blood pressure in adolescents. Song et al.[5] indicated a significant increase in the prevalence of high blood pressure among children and adolescents during the last 2 decades. This observation confirms the need to search for effective ways to reduce excessive blood pressure and prevent hypertension. After HIIT intervention, Grace et al.[17] showed a significant improvement in blood pressure (both systolic and diastolic) in older men leading a sedentary lifestyle. There were no significant differences in the duration of intervention between the middle and extended periods of HIIT training[25]

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