High-intensity interval training reduces blood pressure in older adults: A systematic review and meta-analysis

• Published in: Experimental gerontology Vol. 158; p. 111657
• Main Authors: Carpes, Leandro, Costa, Rochelle, Schaarschmidt, Bruna, Reichert, Thaís, Ferrari, Rodrigo
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: England Elsevier Inc 01-02-2022
• Subjects: Adherence; Aerobic training; Aged; Ambulatory blood pressure; Blood Pressure - physiology; Exercise; High-Intensity Interval Training; Humans; Hypertension; Hypertension - therapy; Physical activity; Hypertension; Ambulatory blood pressure; Adherence; Physical activity; Aerobic training
• ISSN: 0531-5565; 1873-6815
• DOI: 10.1016/j.exger.2021.111657

The current systematic review and meta-analysis evaluated the effects of High-Intensity Interval Training (HIIT) on blood pressure (BP) in older adults and compared the efficacy of HIIT versus moderate-intensity continuous training (MICT).
Search was conducted using the databases at PubMed, Scopus, Cochrane Library and EMBASE, for randomized trials comparing the chronic effects (≥4 weeks) of HIIT versus MICT or control group (non-exercise) on BP in older adults (≥60 years) with or without hypertension.
A total of 10 articles (n = 266 participants) were included in this meta-analysis. HIIT were associated with reductions in systolic BP (MD −7.36; 95%CI −11.80 to −2.92; P < 0.01; I2 = 24%) and diastolic BP (MD −5.48; 95%CI −8.71 to −2.25; P < 0.01; I2 = 40%) versus control group. No differences were found between HIIT and MICT in systolic BP (MD −2.09; 95%CI −9.76 to 5.58; P = 0.59; I2 = 0%) and diastolic BP (MD −1.00; 95%CI −6.01 to 4.01; P = 0.69; I2 = 0%).
HIIT reduces BP in older adults. Additionally, HIIT and MICT provided comparable reductions on BP in this population.
•High-intensity interval training (HIIT) decreases blood pressure in older adults.•HIIT and moderate-intensity continuous training provided comparable reductions on blood pressure in older adults.•HIIT is a time-efficient exercise strategy to reduce blood pressure in older adults.