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Completed

NCT Number: NCT03602170

Cardiovascular Effects of High-Intensity Interval Training (HIIT)

The purpose of this study is to determine the effect of high-intensity interval training (HIIT) in comparison to moderate-intensity continuous training (MCT) on blood pressure, blood vessel function, and blood pressure reactivity.

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Key information

Conditions

Healthy Sedentary Adults With BP <140/90 Behavior Motor Activity

Age range

20 year–44 year

Sex eligibility

All sexes

Study type

Interventional

Phase

Not applicable

Primary location

Department of Kinesiology and Applied Physiology, University of Delaware

Newark, Delaware, 19713, United States

About this study

It is estimated that one-third of the adult population in the United States has blood pressure values that are classified as prehypertension. This slight elevation in blood pressure has been shown to result in an increased risk for developing hypertension and cardiovascular disease. The Seventh Report of the Joint National Committee on Prevention, Detection, Evaluation, and Treatment of High Blood Pressure (JNC7) recommends lifestyle modifications for individuals classified as prehypertensive. One lifestyle modification suggested by JNC7 is regular physical activity. Aerobic exercise, like moderate-intensity continuous training (MCT), has been shown to improve blood pressure, blood vessel function, and arterial stiffness in those with prehypertension. However, a major barrier to exercise adherence is the time commitment required. High-Intensity Interval Training (HIIT), which requires individuals to work at higher intensities for shorter durations, may offer an alternative training design that would reduce the time commitment. Previous studies have shown HIIT to be equal to or better at improving cardiorespiratory fitness and blood vessel function in multiple populations. Limited information is present on HIIT training in those with prehypertension. In this study, participants will be randomized into one of the two training program designs mentioned above (MCT or HIIT). Both programs will be completed over an 8-week period (3 sessions per week) and each training session will be supervised. Participants will complete testing visits before and after the training program to collect measures of cardiovascular health (exercise capacity, blood pressure, blood vessel function, and blood pressure reactivity). The goal is to compare the effects of the training programs on these measures of cardiovascular health.

Who can participate

Healthy volunteers accepted: No

Only the study team can determine whether someone qualifies for participation.

Inclusion criteria

  • Blood Pressure less than 140/90 mmHg
  • Sedentary

Exclusion criteria

  • Known or major signs/symptoms of cardiovascular, pulmonary, renal, or metabolic disease
  • Cancer
  • Use of antihypertensive medication
  • Current tobacco use
  • BMI (body mass index) less than 30 kg/m2
  • Postmenopausal
  • Current pregnancy
  • Current hormone replacement therapy
  • Participating in regular aerobic exercise at least three times a week for 30 minutes at a moderate intensity for the past 3 months or more
  • Not able to regularly exercise for any reason

Treatment and study plan

High-intensity interval training

Behavioral

Supervised exercise sessions will be performed on a upright cycle ergometer. Training sessions involve 20 minutes of exercise by completing 10 repetitions of 60 seconds of exercise at 90-95% maximal heart rate with 60 seconds of active rest between each repetition at 50-60% maximal heart rate.

Moderate-Intensity Continuous Training

Behavioral

Supervised exercise sessions will be performed on a upright cycle ergometer. Training sessions involve 30 minutes of continuous exercise at 65-70% maximal heart rate.

Primary outcomes

  1. Blood Pressure

    Time frame: Change from baseline resting blood pressure at 8 weeks

    Resting blood pressures measuring by automated oscillometric device

Secondary outcomes

  1. Peak Aerobic Capacity

    Time frame: Change from baseline VO2peak at 8 weeks

    Peak oxygen uptake (VO2peak/max) during incremental cycling exercise until exhaustion

  2. 24-Hour Ambulatory Blood Pressure

    Time frame: Change from baseline 24-hour ambulatory blood pressure at 8 weeks

    24 hours of continuous ambulatory blood pressure monitoring by oscillometric device

  3. Pulse Wave Analysis

    Time frame: Change from baseline central blood pressure measures at 8 weeks

    Central blood pressure measures assessed by radial tonometry

  4. Endothelial Function

    Time frame: Change from baseline endothelial function at 8 weeks

    Assessed by brachial artery flow mediated dilation and change in blood in femoral artery in response to passive limb movement

  5. Arterial stiffness

    Time frame: Change from baseline pulse wave velocity measures at 8 weeks

    Pulse wave velocity measures (carotid to femoral and femoral to distal) assessed by applanation tonometry

  6. Blood Pressure Reactivity

    Time frame: Change from baseline blood pressure reactivity at 8 weeks

    Blood pressure response to graded exercise test and handgrip exercise

Other outcomes

  1. Perceived Enjoyment of Exercise

    Time frame: Measured after 4 and 8 weeks of training

    Enjoyment rating based on 18-item questionnaire

Sponsors and collaborators

Lead sponsor

University of Delaware

Other

Registry information

Official study title

Cardiovascular Effects of High-Intensity Interval Training (HIIT) and Moderate-Intensity Continuous Training (MCT)

Important dates

Study start
2017
Primary completion
2018
Study completion
2018
First posted
Jul 26, 2018
Registry last updated
Apr 26, 2019

OpenTrials presents study information sourced from ClinicalTrials.gov. The official registry record should be consulted for the latest information.

View the official ClinicalTrials.gov record (opens in a new tab)

This listing is for discovery and informational purposes only. It is not medical advice, does not guarantee that a study is recruiting, and does not determine eligibility. Contact the study team and a qualified healthcare professional when considering participation.

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