Ambulatory blood pressure reduction following 2 weeks of high-intensity interval training on an immersed ergocycle

Hypertension guidelines recommend moderate-intensity continuous training (MICT) for the primary or secondary prevention of hypertension. However, alternative modalities, such as high-intensity interval training (HIIT) on dry land or in water, have been studied less widely.

To assess chronic blood pressure (BP) response to a 2-week training programme involving six sessions of either MICT or HIIT performed on dry land or HIIT performed in an immersed condition, in participants with baseline office systolic/diastolic BP (SBP/DBP)≥130/85mmHg.

We randomly assigned 42 individuals (mean age 65±7 years; 52% men) with baseline office SBP/DBP≥130/85mmHg to perform six 24-minute sessions on an ergocycle (three times a week for 2 weeks) of either MICT on dry land, HIIT on dry land or HIIT in a swimming pool, and assessed BP responses using 24-hour ambulatory BP monitoring.

While 2-week MICT and HIIT on dry land modified none of the 24-hour average haemodynamic variables significantly, immersed HIIT induced a significant decrease in 24-hour BP (SBP -5.1±7.3 [P=0.02]; DBP -2.9±4.1mmHg [P=0.02]) and daytime BP (SBP -6.2±8.3 [P=0.015]; DBP -3.4±4.0mmHg [P=0.008]), and slightly improved 24-hour and daytime pulse wave velocity (PWV) (24-hour PWV -0.17±0.23m/s [P=0.015]; daytime PWV -0.18±0.24m/s [P=0.02]).

HIIT on an immersed stationary ergocycle is an innovative method that should be considered as an efficient non-pharmacological treatment of hypertension. As such, it should now be implemented in a larger cohort to study its long-term effects on the cardiovascular system.