Effects of continuous and interval training programs in the management of hypertension: a randomized controlled trial

Abstract

The purpose of the present study was to determine and compare the effect of interval and continuous training programs in the management of hypertension. Three hundred fifty-seven male patients with essential hypertension were age matched and grouped into interval, continuous, and control groups. The interval (n=140; 58.90±7.35 years) and continuous (n=112; 58.63±7.22 years) groups were involved in 8 weeks of interval (60%-79% maximum heart rate) and continuous (60%-79% maximum heart rate) programs of between 45 to 60 minutes, while the control group (n=105; 58.27±6.24 years) remained sedentary during this period. Findings of the study revealed significant effect of both training programs on maximum oxygen consumption, systolic blood pressure, diastolic blood pressure, heart rate, pulse pressure, and mean arterial pressure at P<.05. The maximum oxygen consumption significantly and negatively correlated with systolic blood pressure, diastolic blood pressure, rate-pressure product, pulse pressure, and mean arterial pressure at P<.01. It was concluded that both training programs are effective adjunct nonpharmacological management of hypertension. The recommendation of the paper was that both interval and continuous training programs should form part of the kit in the management of hypertension.

Figure 1

Study design flow chart.

Figure 2

Correlation between training changes in maximum oxygen consumption (VO₂ max) and blood pressure (BP) and heart rate (HR) (N=252). DBP indicates diastolic blood pressure; SBP, systolic blood pressure.