Article

Exercise is recommended as prevention, management, and control of all
stages of hypertension. There are still controversies about the optimal training
dose, frequency, and intensity. We aimed to study the effect of aerobic interval
training on blood pressure and myocardial function in hypertensive patients.
METHODS AND RESULTS: A total of 88 patients (52.0 +/- 7.8 years, 39 women) with
essential hypertension were randomized to aerobic interval training (AIT) (>90%
of maximal heart rate, correlates to 85-90% of VO(2max)), isocaloric moderate
intensity continuous training (MIT) (~70% of maximal heart rate, 60% of
VO(2max)), or a control group. Exercise was performed on a treadmill, three times
per week for 12 weeks. Ambulatory 24-hour blood pressure (ABP) was the primary
endpoint. Secondary endpoints included maximal oxygen uptake (VO(2max)), mean
heart rate/24 hour, flow mediated dilatation (FMD), total peripheral resistance
(TPR), and myocardial systolic and diastolic function by echocardiography.
Systolic ABP was reduced by 12 mmHg (p < 0.001) in AIT and 4.5 mmHg (p = 0.05) in
MIT. Diastolic ABP was reduced by 8 mmHg (p < 0.001) in AIT and 3.5 mmHg (p =
0.02) in MIT. VO(2max) improved by 15% (p < 0.001) in AIT and 5% (p < 0.01) in
MIT. Systolic myocardial function improved in both exercise groups, diastolic
function in the AIT group only. TPR reduction and increased FMD were only
observed in the AIT group. CONCLUSIONS: This study indicates that the blood
pressure reducing effect of exercise in essential hypertension is intensity
dependent. Aerobic interval training is an effective method to lower blood
pressure and improve other cardiovascular risk factors.

Langue : ANGLAIS