Objective:

To compare the effects of High Intensity Interval Training (HIIT) and Moderate Intensity Continuous Training (MICT) on blood pressure homeostasis, cardiovascular structure, and function in patients with essential hypertension (EH).

Approach:

• Study Design: A single-blind, two-arm, parallel randomized controlled trial involving 56 EH patients assigned to either HIIT or MICT for 8 weeks.
• Intervention: HIIT consisted of 1 × 10 min with 2 min intervals, while MICT involved 35 min of continuous training, both performed three times per week.
• Outcome Measures: Primary outcome was change in flow-mediated dilation (FMD); secondary measures included blood pressure, cardiovascular risk factors, and neuro-humoral regulation.

Key Findings:

• HIIT group showed a significantly greater improvement in FMD compared to MICT (mean difference: 0.85% [95% CI, 0.50–1.21]).
• HIIT resulted in favorable changes in nitric oxide, endothelin-1, arterial stiffness, and inflammatory biomarkers (all P < 0.05).
• Both HIIT and MICT significantly improved systolic blood pressure, pulsatility index, resistive index, angiotensin II, and norepinephrine (all P 0.05).

Interpretation:

Both HIIT and MICT similarly lower systolic blood pressure in EH patients, with HIIT showing a greater improvement in endothelial function and certain cardiovascular parameters.

Limitations:

• Small sample size of 56 participants may limit generalizability.
• Short duration of 8 weeks may not capture long-term effects of exercise interventions.

Conclusion:

Both HIIT and MICT demonstrate efficacy in improving FMD and lowering systolic blood pressure, with HIIT showing superior effects on arterial stiffness and certain cardiovascular parameters.

Sources:

• Clinical Trial Registration