Physical Exercise in Hypertension, Randomised Clinical Trial

Not Applicable

Completed

• Conditions: Hypertension
• Interventions: Behavioral: Aerobic interval training; Behavioral: moderate intensity training; Behavioral: Recommendation of regular exercise

• Registration Number: NCT00218972
• Lead Sponsor: Norwegian University of Science and Technology

Brief Summary

Endurance training has a documented effect on hypertension. However, only low to moderate training intensity has so far been studied. High aerobic intensity should, from physiological considerations, prove more effective in also reducing high blood pressure. The present study is a randomised comparison of high versus moderate intensity versus training in groups, and general advice on 24 hour blood pressure in hypertensives. The training period is 12 weeks, with follow-up after 1 year. Maximum oxygen uptake, quality of life, left ventricular function and blood vessel reactivity are also measured.

Detailed Description

Endurance training has documented effect on blood pressure in hypertension. However, only low to moderate training intensity has so far been studied. Higher aerobic intensity based on individual measurements of maximum oxygen uptake is more efficient in increasing oxygen uptake, and might prove more effective in lowering blood pressure. Group training, on the other hand is not individualised, but less personnel required and may prove more cost effective. Endurance training is shown to improve both systolic and diastolic left ventricular function, as well as endothelial function. Both can be measured non-invasively by ultrasound.

The study is an open, randomised study with four arms, comparing:

* High aerobic intensity interval training

* Moderate aerobic intensity training

* Group training

* Controls receiving standard advice on lifestyle and training

Training effect is measured by Max. Oxygen uptake, blood pressure by continuous 24 hour ambulatory measurement, Left ventricular function by echo Doppler and endothelial function by flow mediated vasodilation by ultrasound.

The effect of exercise on blood pressure is dependent on continued training. All patients will be followed up after one year.

Study Timeline

• Study Start: 2005-02
• Study First Submitted: 2005-09-20
• Study First Submitted QC: 2005-09-20
• Study First Posted: 2005-09-22
• Primary Completion: 2008-09
• Study Completion: 2008-12
• Status Verified: 2013-12
• Last Update Submitted: 2013-12-05
• Last Update Posted: 2013-12-06

Recruitment & Eligibility

• Status: COMPLETED
• Sex: All
• Target Recruitment: 88

Inclusion Criteria

• Essential hypertension grade 1 - 2 without medical treatment

Exclusion Criteria

• End organ damage
• Two or more cardiovascular risk factors
• Diabetes

Study & Design

• Study Type: INTERVENTIONAL
• Study Design: PARALLEL

Arm && Interventions

Group	Intervention	Description
AIT: aerobic interval training	Aerobic interval training	High intensity interval training on treadmill at \> 90% of maximal HR for four bouts of four minutes with warm up, active pauses and cool down, three times per week for 12 weeks.
MIT, moderate intensity training	moderate intensity training	Moderate intensity treadmill continuous exercise at 70% of maximum heart rate for 47 minutes (in order to ensure isocaloric training amount), three times per week for 12 weeks.
Recommendation of regular exercise	Recommendation of regular exercise	No training intervention, general advice as prescribed in guidelines.

Primary Outcome Measures

Name	Time	Method
24 hour blood pressure	12 weeks

Secondary Outcome Measures

Name	Time	Method
Maximum oxygen uptake	12 weeks
Endothelial function	12 weeks
Echocardiographic left ventricular function	12 weeks
Quality of life	12 weeks

Trial Locations

Locations (1)

Norwegian University of Science and Technology; 🇳🇴 Trondheim, Norway