Running Against Prehypertension Trial (RAPT): A Pilot Trial

The UCSF Osher Center for Integrative Medicine has increasingly been investigating lifestyle interventions and their upstream approach to improving health and well-being. Many such lifestyle interventions address health risk nonpharmacologically and present participants with the opportunity to change their overall trajectory of health. Exercise interventions are of particular interest based on evidence of numerous physical and mental health benefits. Our target population in the Running Against Prehypertension Trial (RAPT) was people with upper range prehypertension. By adopting and maintaining a running program, these individuals who are at a high risk of hypertension can avoid a lifetime of medication and chronic disease. The objective of RAPT was to collect feasibility, acceptability and preliminary efficacy data over a 12 week period on a running program aimed at teaching a natural running form called ChiRunning that used the mindful movement principles of Tai Chi. By using this natural running form, participants may increase satisfaction and decrease rates of injury towards greater adherence to the program. Participants were randomized to one of three study arms: 1) intervention, 8 weeks of group training in form focused ChiRunning; 2) active control, 8 weeks of group training focused on conventional running excluding form; or 3) usual care, a self-directed training with educational materials.

Inclusion criteria

• The target population for our proposed study is adults with upper range prehypertension defined by systolic blood pressure in the range of 130-144mmHg or diastolic blood pressure range in the range of 85-94mmHg.
• Potential participants will have two to three blood pressure screening measurements at least one day apart taken to screen for eligibility.
• Participants also must not be currently taking antihypertensive medications and must live in the San Francisco Bay Area.

Exclusion criteria

• Inability to provide informed consent
• Age < 18 years
• Inability to run continuously for 5 minutes (required for the gait analysis)
• A substance or alcohol abuse, mental health, or medical condition that, in the opinion of investigators, will make it difficult for the potential subject to participate in the group intervention
• A history of cardiovascular disease or coronary artery disease including acute coronary syndrome, heart failure, severe aortic stenosis, acute infection or fever, or resting tachycardia (> 100 bpm)
• A history of cardiac procedures including coronary artery bypass graft, angioplasty or stent placement.
• Typical or atypical angina
• Arrhythmia, alcoholism or other condition that makes accurate BP measurement difficult
• A diagnosis of diabetes, chronic kidney disease or other condition indicating medication for SBP < 140mmHg
• Non-English speaking (group training will be given in English)
• Pregnant or planning to get pregnant during the study period
• Unwillingness or inability to commit to run/walking up to 30 minutes three times per week
• Plans to move from the San Francisco Bay area during the study time period
• Currently exercising at vigorous intensity for greater than 90 minutes per week. Vigorous intensity exercise may include race walking, jogging, running, hiking, swimming laps, or bicycling ≥ 10 miles per hour.
• BMI > 30