Difference in Acute Responses of Vascular Function to Moderate-intensity and High-intensity Interval Training in Healthy and Prehypertensive Individuals

This study is a work package of the ACT-ON project, aimed at establishing the reliability and validity of flow-mediated slowing and microvascular function, as well as determine the acute response of different vascular function measures to different exercise conditions. The investigators aimed to include vascular function measures evaluating different parts of the vasculature (e.g. central, peripheral and microvasculature) to establish whether the specific response differs between healthy participants and participants at risk of developing cardiovascular diseases.

Data collection will be conducted using a range of instruments and tools in the following order.

To ensure compliance with the inclusion criteria, participants will undergo a screening visit prior to the enrollment in the study. The visit will take place in the morning including the following assessments: Standardized blood pressure (M6, Omron, Japan), height (GPM, Model 101, Switzerland) and weight (InBody 720, Biospace, South Korea) measurement, as well as the administration of the GPAQ questionnaire. Female participants will additionally complete a Reproductive status Questionnaire (RSQ) (Schmalenberger & Eisenlohr-Moul, 2019) to determine eligibility based on previously established inclusion and exclusion criteria. Participants will be advised to refrain from physical activity, alcohol and caffeine consumption in the days leading up to the visit, as well as to arrive well rested and in a fasted state.

Study protocol

After enrollment in the study, participants will complete three visits with 72h between each visit. The visits will be completed at the same hour of the day to ensure minimal circadian variability. Participants will be advised to refrain from physical exercise and consumption of alcohol and caffeine in the days leading up to the first visit, as well as during the study. Additionally, they will be advised to arrive well rested and to consume a standardized meal 2-3 hours before the visit. To enable physical activity monitoring during the study, participants will wear wrist monitors with 24-h measurement of heart rate on the wrist (Vantage V3, Polar, Finland). In the event that physical activity is detected during the course of the study, participants will be excluded from the study. Additionally, participants will be required to maintain a dietary intake log during the duration of the study.