Therapeutic Role of Continuous Training Program on High Density Lipoprotein Cholesterol in Men with Hypertension: A Randomized Controlled Trial

Objective: Some of the reported factors that increased the risk for coronary events in hypertensive individuals included elevated total cholesterol (TC) and low density lipoprotein cholesterol (LDL), reduced high density lipoprotein cholesterol (HDL) and physical inactivity. The purpose of the present study was to investigate the effect of interval training programme on blood pressure and lipid profile in subjects with hypertension. Methods: Two hundred and seventeen male patients with mild to moderate (systolic blood pressure [SBP] between 140-180 & diastolic blood pressure [DBP] between 90-109 mmHg) essential hypertension were age matched and grouped into interval and control groups. The interval (n=112; 58.63 ± 7.22 years) group involved in an 8 weeks continuous training (60-79% HR max reserve) programme of between 45minutes to 60 minutes, while age-matched controls hypertensive (n=105; 58.27 ± 6.24 years) group remain sedentary during this period. Cardiovascular parameters (SBP & DBP), VO 2 max, TC, LDL, HDL and Artrogenic Index (AI) were assessed. Students’t test and Pearson correlation test were used in data analysis. Results: Findings of the study revealed significant decreased effect of interval training programme on SBP, DBP, TC, LDL and significant increased effects on VO 2 max and HDL level at p < 0.05. Also there was a significant negative and positive correlation between changes VO 2 max and changes in TC and HDL respectively. Conclusions: it was concluded that interval training programme is an effective adjunct non-pharmacological management of hypertension and a means of normal regulation of lipid profile.