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Effects of different aerobic exercise programs on cardiac autonomic modulation and hemodynamics in hypertension: data from EXERDIET-HTA randomized trial

Journal of Human Hypertension volume 34, pages 709–718 (2020)Cite this article

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Abstract

The aims of the present study were to analyze the effects of 16 weeks of different aerobic exercise training (ExT) programs with diet on cardiac autonomic modulation and hemodynamics in nonphysically active and overweight/obese adults (n = 249, 53.7 ± 8.0 years) with primary hypertension, and the possible differences among ExT programs and their effects on heart rate (HR), blood pressure (BP), and long-term BP variability (BPV). Participants were randomly assigned into an attention control (AC) group (physical activity recommendations) or one of three supervised ExT groups: high volume of moderate-intensity continuous training, high-volume and high-intensity interval training (HIIT), and low-volume-HIIT. Twenty-four hours of ambulatory BP monitoring was used to analyze systolic (SBP) and diastolic (DBP) BP, HR, and BPV. A cardiopulmonary exercise test was performed to determine peak oxygen uptake (VO2peak). Following intervention, resting and submaximal exercise (HR, SBP, and DBP), along with diurnal and nocturnal SBP and DBP values decreased (P < 0.05) in all groups with no differences between groups. When the ExT groups were combined, submaximal SBP (P = 0.048) and DBP (P = 0.004), VO2peak (P = 0.014) and HR reserve (P = 0.030) were significantly improved compared with AC. Intervention did not have significant effects on BPV. In the present study better improvements in the autonomic nervous system were seen when the aerobic ExT was individually designed and supervised with pari passu effects irrespective of exercise intensity and volume. Low-volume-HIIT ExT combined with a healthy diet should be considered as a time efficient and safe mechanism for reducing the cardiovascular risk in hypertensive individuals.

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Acknowledgements

Our special thanks to G. Rodrigo Aispuru, the medical doctor who has taken part in this project with medical assessment. Also thanks to the Department of Physical Education and Sport and Faculty of Physical Education and Sport-Physical Activity and Sport Sciences Section (University of the Basque Country, UPV/EHU) for believing in our project and providing the material and facilities to carry it out. Also thanks to Exercycle S.L. (BH Fitness Company) for the machines donated to conduct the exercise intervention. Last but not least to all undergraduate and postgraduate students who collaborated in this project (2011–2017 academic years).

Funding

This work was supported by the University of the Basque Country (EHU14/08, PPGA18/15) and the Government of the Basque Country supported PC, AMAB, and IGA with predoctoral grants.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Department of Physical Education and Sport. Faculty of Education and Sport-Physical Activity and Sport Sciences Section, University of the Basque Country (UPV/EHU), Vitoria-Gasteiz, Araba/Álava, Basque Country, Spain

    Aitor MartinezAguirre-Betolaza, Pablo Corres, Ilargi Gorostegi-Anduaga, Iñaki Arratibel-Imaz & Sara Maldonado-Martín

  2. Department of Physiology. Faculty of Medicine and Nursing, University of the Basque Country (UPV/EHU), Leioa, Basque Country, Spain

    Iñigo Mujika

  3. Exercise Science Laboratory, School of Kinesiology, Faculty of Medicine, Universidad Finis Terrae, Santiago, Chile

    Iñigo Mujika

  4. University of Gloucestershire, School of Sport and Exercise. Oxstalls Campus, Gloucester, GL2 9HW, UK

    Simon M. Fryer

  5. Cardiology Unit. Igualatorio Médico Quirúrgico (IMQ-Amárica), Vitoria-Gasteiz, Araba/Álava, Basque Country, Spain

    Javier Pérez-Asenjo

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  1. Aitor MartinezAguirre-Betolaza
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Correspondence to Sara Maldonado-Martín.

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MartinezAguirre-Betolaza, A., Mujika, I., Fryer, S.M. et al. Effects of different aerobic exercise programs on cardiac autonomic modulation and hemodynamics in hypertension: data from EXERDIET-HTA randomized trial. J Hum Hypertens 34, 709–718 (2020). https://doi.org/10.1038/s41371-020-0298-4

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