Difference in Acute Responses of Vascular Function to Moderate-intensity and High-intensity Interval Training in Healthy and Prehypertensive Individuals
In this study, the investigators will evaluate acute changes in vascular function measures after moderate-intensity continuous and high-intensity interval exercise in healthy and prehypertensive individuals. Participants will be subjected to three separate visits: control condition (30 min rest), moderate-intensity continuous exercise, and high-intensity interval exercise. The investigators will measure aerobic capacity using a cardiopulmonary exercise test (CPET) using indirect gas-exchange to derive subsequent exercise intensity and maximal oxygen uptake. The investigators will evaluate different measures of vascular function (Pulse-wave velocity, Flow-mediated slowing, microvascular function) before and after each condition. The study will involve two groups of participants: healthy individuals and prehypertensive individuals. The investigators aim to establish the reliability and validity of less-established methods of vascular function assessment (flow-mediated slowing and microvascular function) against established measures (pulse-wave velocity). The acute response of vascular function to different exercise intensities has not yet been thoroughly researched using the aforementioned measures in individuals with similar characteristics to the proposed study cohort.
⁃ Normotensive participants inclusion criteria:
• 18 - 50 years of age, BMI \< 30, blood pressure (BP) within the optimal range according to the latest ESH guidelines (\< 120 mmHg systolic and/or \< 80 mmHg diastolic BP)
• Sedentary or low active according to the Global Physical Activity Questionnaire (GPAQ) (Armstrong \& Bull, 2006; Lim et al., 2012)
• No prescribed medication and absence of chronic diseases
• 18 - 50 years of age, BMI \< 30
• Diagnosed prehypertension by a clinican from the Hypertension clinic, University clinical centre of Ljubljana using established criteria
• Sedentary or low or moderately active according to the Global Physical Activity Questionnaire (GPAQ)
• No prescribed medication and absence of chronic diseases