The impact of sprint interval training versus moderate intensity continuous training on blood pressure and cardiorespiratory health in adults: a systematic review and meta-analysis
Open accessAbstract
Background Although aerobic exercise is the primary modality recommended for the treatment of hypertension, it remains unclear whether high-intensity all-out sprint interval training (SIT) can result in greater reductions of blood pressure (BP) and cardiorespiratory health. This systematic review aims to compare the impact of SITversusModerate-intensity continuous training (MICT) on improvements in resting systolic blood pressure (SBP), diastolic blood pressure (DBP) and maximal oxygen uptake (VO2max) among adults. Methods We conducted a systematic search of three online databases (PubMed, Embase, and Web of Science) from January 2000 to July 2023 to identify randomized controlled trials that compared the chronic effects of SITversusMICT on BP in participants with high or normal blood pressure. We extracted information on participant characteristics, exercise protocols, BP outcomes, and intervention settings. Furthermore, the changes in VO2max between the two groups were analyzed using a meta-analysis. The pooled results were presented as weighted means with 95% confidence intervals (CI). Results Out of the 1,874 studies initially were found, eight were included in this review, totaling 169 participants. A significant decrease in SBP (MD = −2.82 mmHg, 95% CI [−4.53 to −1.10],p = 0.08,I2=45%) was observed in the SIT group compared to before the training, but no significant decrease in DBP (MD = −0.75 mmHg, 95% CI [−1.92 to 0.42],p = 0.16,I2= 33%) was observed. In contrast, both SBP (MD = −3.00 mmHg, 95% CI [−5.31 to −0.69],p = 0.68,I2= 0%) and DBP (MD = −2.11 mmHg, 95% CI [−3.63 to −0.60],p = 0.72,I2= 0%) significantly decreased in the MICT group with low heterogeneity. No significant difference was found in resting SBP and DBP between SIT and MICT after the intervention. Both SIT and MICT significantly increased VO2peak, with SIT resulting in a mean difference (MD) of 1.75 mL/kg/min (95% CI [0.39–3.10],p = 0.02,I2= 61%), and MICT resulting in a mean difference of 3.10 mL/kg/min (95% CI [1.03–5.18],p = 0.007,I2= 69%). MICT was more effective in improving VO2peak (MD = −1.36 mL/kg/min, 95% CI [−2.31 to 0.40],p = 0.56,I2= 0%). Subgroup analysis of duration and single sprint time showed that SIT was more effective in reducing SBP when the duration was ≥8 weeks or when the sprint time was <30 s. Conclusion Our meta-analysis showed that SIT is an effective intervention in reducing BP and improving cardiorespiratory fitness among adults. Consequently, SIT can be used in combination with traditional MICT to increase the variety, utility, and time efficiency of exercise prescriptions for different populations.
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“Our meta ‐ analysis found that MICT had a greater effect on peak oxygen uptake than HIIT, which is consistent with a recent review of related studies (Guo et al., 2022; Liang et al., 2024).”
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Self-citationA HOLISTIC APPROACH TO LOWERING BLOOD PRESSURE
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- Authors
- Liang, W., Liu, C., Yan, X., Hou, Y., Yang, G., Dai, J., & Wang, S.
- Affiliations
- South China Normal University (CN)
- Kunsan National University (KR)
- South China University of Technology (CN)
- Kyungnam University (KR)
- Corresponding author
- Wang, Songtao
- Venue
- PeerJ
- Publisher
- PeerJ
- Published
- 2024-03-14
- Volume
- 12
- Pages
- e17064
- ISSN
- 2167-8359 (ISSN-L)
- PMC
- PMC10944631
- OpenAlex
- W4392811671
- Cited by
- 12
- References
- 55
- Citations by year
- 2026: 4 · 2025: 7 · 2024: 1
- FWCI
- 1.24
- Type
- journal article
- Language
- en
- Open access
- gold
- doi.org
- Locations
- PeerJ (publishedVersion, cc-by)
- PubMed Central (publishedVersion, cc-by)
- PubMed (publishedVersion)
- DOAJ (DOAJ: Directory of Open Access Journals) (submittedVersion, cc-by-sa)
- Topics
- Health Sciences › Medicine › Complementary and alternative medicine › Cardiovascular and exercise physiology
- Health Sciences › Medicine › Cardiology and Cardiovascular Medicine › Blood Pressure and Hypertension Studies
- Health Sciences › Medicine › Physiology › Physical Activity and Health
- Keywords
- sprint interval training, moderate-intensity continuous training, blood pressure, hypertension, systolic blood pressure, diastolic blood pressure, cardiorespiratory fitness, VO2max, peak oxygen uptake, high-intensity interval training, aerobic exercise, exercise training comparison, adults, blood pressure reduction, exercise frequency
- MeSH terms
- High-Intensity Interval Training, Adult, Blood Pressure, Exercise Therapy, Humans, Hypertension, Hypotension, Exercise
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