High‐Intensity Interval Training and Moderate‐Intensity Continuous Training on Ventricular‐Arterial Coupling (VAC) in Young Women With Obesity

Aim To investigate the effects of an 8‐weeks of high‐intensity interval training (HIIT) or moderate‐intensity continuous training (MICT) program on ventricular‐arterial coupling (VAC) in young women with obesity. Methods Twenty‐four obese women completed an 8‐week supervised aerobic training program (3 sessions/week) assigned to either HIIT ( n = 11) or MICT ( n = 13). The HIIT protocol involved four 4‐min bouts at 85%–95% of the maximum heart rate (HR max ), while the MICT consisted of continuous walking/running for 41 min at 65%–75% of HR max . VAC was assessed using two methods: (1) the ratio of pulse wave velocity to global longitudinal strain (PWV/GLS), and (2) the ratio of arterial to ventricular elastance (E a /E es ). Results Both HIIT (−0.35 ± 0.01 to −0.31 ± 0.05 m/s%; p = 0.005) and MICT (−0.35 ± 0.01 to −0.30 ± 0.05 m/s%; p = 0.003) significantly improved the PWV/GLS ratio. However, only HIIT led to a significant reduction in the E a /E es ratio (0.88 ± 0.07 to 0.80 ± 0.09 mmHg/mL; p = 0.024), with a significant correlation between relative changes in PWV/GLS and E a /E es ratio ( r = 0.749; p = 0.008). Conclusions Both HIIT and MICT improved VAC as assessed by PWV/GLS ratio in young obese women. In contrast, elastance‐derived improvements (E a /E es ) were observed only following HIIT. These findings suggest that PWV/GLS may serve as a more sensitive and integrative marker for detecting exercise‐induced improvements in VAC.