Изменение кардиореспираторных функций при артериальной гипертонии в зависимости от мышечных групп, вовлеченных в аэробную нагрузку (рандомизированное контролируемое исследование)

Q: What are the key findings of this study?

Combined upper and lower limb HIIT reduced systolic blood pressure by 16.4 mmHg over 24 weeks (MD -14.8 mmHg vs control, p≤0.001) in men with stage 1 hypertension.

Q: What is the clinical evidence from this study?

Study design: RCT. Population: Stage 1 arterial hypertension or prehypertension (n=75). Intervention: Combined upper and lower limb high-intensity interval training (HIIT) vs. Standard lifestyle modification control (or isolated upper/lower limb HIIT). Primary outcome: Change in systolic blood pressure (SBP) at 24 weeks (MD -14.8 mmHg, 95% CI -22.5 to -7.0, p=≤0.001).

Q: What does this research mean for the field?

Combined upper and lower limb high-intensity interval training significantly reduces systolic blood pressure by 16.4 mmHg over 24 weeks in men with stage 1 hypertension, outperforming isolated limb training. Novelty: ClaimNovelty.INCREMENTAL. Consensus alignment: ConsensusAlignment.NEUTRAL.

A. V. Meshtel; Alexander B. Miroshnikov; Andrei V. Smolensky

doi:10.21320/2309-1355-2026-103-3-47-59

October 15, 2026Problems of Balneology Physiotherapy and Exercise TherapyOpen Access

Изменение кардиореспираторных функций при артериальной гипертонии в зависимости от мышечных групп, вовлеченных в аэробную нагрузку (рандомизированное контролируемое исследование)

View Full Paper

Ask AI

Bookmark

Share

Key result

Combined limb HIIT reduces systolic blood pressure by ~15 mmHg vs control in hypertension.

MD -14.8 mmHg
95% CI -22.5 to -7.0
P≤0.001
n=75

Why the study?

Traditional lower-limb aerobic rehabilitation programs have a limited antihypertensive effect in middle-aged men with arterial hypertension, and involving upper-limb muscles through high-intensity interval training needed experimental substantiation.

Does a 24-week combined upper and lower limb high-intensity interval training (HIIT) program reduce blood pressure and improve maximal oxygen uptake compared to isolated limb training or standard lifestyle recommendations in middle-aged men with stage 1 arterial hypertension?

Key Points

To develop and evaluate a 24-week high-intensity interval training program involving upper and lower limb muscles in men aged 35–60 years with stage 1 arterial hypertension.
Randomized trial of 75 men aged 35–60 years with stage 1 arterial hypertension allocated to upper limb training, lower limb training, combined training, or a control group.
The exercise intervention lasted 24 weeks with 3 sessions per week at an intensity of 90% of maximal oxygen uptake power.
Assessed ergospirometric parameters and blood pressure levels before and after the 24-week intervention.
Combined training demonstrated the greatest reduction in systolic blood pressure (16.4±10.0 mmHg; p<0.001; d=–1.64), significantly exceeding isolated limb training and control groups.
Maximal oxygen uptake during lower limb testing increased most in the lower limb and combined training groups, whereas during upper limb testing the highest gains occurred in the upper limb and combined training groups.
Diastolic blood pressure decreased significantly only in the combined training and lower limb training groups.

Study Design

Type

RCT (n=75)

Randomization

4-arm parallel randomization

Multicenter

No

Structured PICO

Does a 24-week combined upper and lower limb high-intensity interval training (HIIT) program reduce blood pressure and improve maximal oxygen uptake compared to isolated limb training or standard lifestyle recommendations in middle-aged men with stage 1 arterial hypertension?

P

Population

75 sedentary men aged 35–60 years with unmedicated prehypertension or stage 1 arterial hypertension followed for 24 weeks.

I

Intervention

High-intensity interval training (HIIT) for 24 weeks (6 months), 3 sessions per week (72 sessions total, 48–50 minutes per session), divided into three active intervention arms: 1) Upper limb training (arm crank ergometer, n=19 analyzed): 4x4 min work intervals at 90% VO2max power with 3 min recovery at 50% VO2max power; 2) Lower limb training (leg cycle ergometer, n=20 analyzed): 4x4 min work intervals at 90% VO2max power with 3 min recovery at 50% VO2max power; 3) Combined upper and lower limb training (n=19 analyzed): 2x4 min at 90% VO2max power (upper limbs) + 2x4 min at 90% VO2max power (lower limbs) with 3 min recovery at 50% VO2max power. All groups included a 10-min warm-up and 10-min cool-down at 40% VO2max power.

C

Comparator

Control group (n=17 analyzed) adhering to standard lifestyle modification recommendations, including sodium intake reduction, dietary correction, and increased daily physical activity (at least 150 minutes per week with a cadence of 60–80 rpm), plus inter-group comparisons against isolated upper limb or isolated lower limb HIIT.

O

Outcome

Changes in home systolic blood pressure (SBP) and diastolic blood pressure (DBP) measured via self-monitoring of blood pressure in the morning (7:00–8:00 AM), and ergospirometric parameters (maximal oxygen uptake [VO2max] in mL/min and mL/kg/min, and power at VO2max [W] during separate upper and lower limb incremental ergometer testing) at 12 and 24 weeks.surrogate

Main Result

Mean Difference: -14.8 (95% CI -22.5–-7)

Absolute Event Rate: -16.4% vs -1.6%

p-value: p=≤0.001

Combining upper and lower limb muscles in a 24-week high-intensity interval training program produces a synergistic antihypertensive effect (16.4 mmHg SBP reduction) and improves whole-body cardiorespiratory fitness more effectively than isolated limb training in untreated middle-aged men with stage 1 hypertension.

Limitations

Included only male participants aged 35-60 years
Relatively moderate baseline blood pressure values without pharmacological therapy
Single-center study with a relatively small sample size (75 analyzed out of 85 randomized)

Implication

Supports combined upper-lower limb HIIT for stage 1 hypertension management; extends lower-limb aerobic training evidence.

Abstract

Introduction: Arterial hypertension remains a leading modifiable risk factor for cardiovascular diseases and mortality, particularly among middle-aged men. Traditional rehabilitation programs based on aerobic exercise for the lower limbs demonstrate a limited antihypertensive effect. The involvement of upper limb muscles, which possess a high adaptive potential, may enhance training effectiveness. Objective: To develop and experimentally substantiate a high-intensity interval training (HIIT) program for upper and lower limb muscles in the physical rehabilitation of men aged 35–60 years with stage 1 arterial hypertension. Materials and methods: The study included 75 men who were randomized into four groups: upper limb training, lower limb training, combined upper and lower limb training, and a control group. The training program lasted 24 weeks with a frequency of three sessions per week at an intensity of 90% of maximal oxygen uptake power. Ergospirometric parameters and blood pressure levels were assessed before and after the intervention. Results: The greatest increase in maximal oxygen uptake during lower limb testing was observed in the lower limb and combined training groups, while during upper limb testing it was observed in the upper limb and combined training groups. The combined training group demonstrated the greatest reduction in systolic blood pressure (16.4±10.0 mmHg; p<0.001; d=–1.64), significantly exceeding the results of isolated training and control groups. Diastolic blood pressure decreased significantly only in the combined training and lower limb training groups. Conclusion: A combined high-intensity interval training program involving both upper and lower limb muscles is a highly effective non-pharmacological intervention for arterial hypertension. It provides a synergistic antihypertensive effect and a significant improvement in cardiorespiratory fitness, supporting its use to reduce cardiovascular risk in middle-aged men.

Discussion

No takes yet. Share an insight, caveat, or question.

Cite This Study

Meshtel et al. (2026) conducted an RCT in Stage 1 arterial hypertension or prehypertension (n=75). Combined upper and lower limb high-intensity interval training (HIIT) vs. Standard lifestyle modification control (or isolated upper/lower limb HIIT) was evaluated on Change in systolic blood pressure (SBP) at 24 weeks (MD -14.8 mmHg, 95% CI -22.5 to -7.0, p=≤0.001). Combined upper and lower limb HIIT reduced systolic blood pressure by 16.4 mmHg over 24 weeks (MD -14.8 mmHg vs control, p≤0.001) in men with stage 1 hypertension.

synapsesocial.com/papers/6ae28e75cbadf70daf6c423d https://doi.org/10.21320/2309-1355-2026-103-3-47-59

View Full Paper

Ask AI

Bookmark

Share

Key Points

Study Design

Structured PICO

Main Result

Limitations

Implication

Abstract

Discussion

Cite This Study

Key Points

Study Design

Structured PICO

Main Result

Limitations

Implication

Abstract

Discussion

Cite This Study

Keep reading

Keep reading