Short-term of concurrent training decreases maximum but not average carotid intima-media thickness in hypertensive adults

Background: Exercise training induces favorable changes in endothelial dysfunction (EDys) and improves hypertension (HTN); however, there is a scarcity of knowledge about short-term concurrent training using high-intensity interval and resistance training (CTHIIT+RT) on both average (cIMTav) and maximum (cIMTmax) carotid intima-media thickness. Aim: To determine the effects of six-weeks of CTHIIT+RT on cIMTav, and cIMTmax in adults with HTN. A secondary aim was to determine the CTHIIT+RT effects on blood pressure and body composition. Methods: We conducted a randomized controlled clinical trial in adults distributed by blood pressure categorization to 6 groups: HTN (CG-HTN, n=10) elevated BP (CG-Ele, n=10), normotensive control group (CG-NT, n=10), exercise HTN (EG-HTN, n=10), elevated BP (EG-Ele, n=10), or to normotensive exercise group (EG-NT, n=10). Participants underwent 6-weeks of 10 min per session of CTHIIT+RT (3·week-1). Before and after training cIMTav, and cIMTmax, systolic/diastolic (SBP/DBP) blood pressure, and body composition outcomes were measured. Results: There were significant decreases from pre to post-test in cIMTmax in EG-HTN (Δ−0,10 cm, p<0,05), and in EG-Ele group (Δ−0,30 cm, p<0,0001). Other significant modifications included reductions of SBP in EG-HTN (Δ−19 mmHg), EG-Ele (Δ−11 mmHg), and EG-NT group (Δ−8 mmHg, all p<0,0001); DBP in EG-HTN (Δ−9 mmHg), EG-Ele (Δ−8 mmHg, both p<0,0001), and EG-NT group (Δ−4 mmHg, p<0,05); waist circumference in EG-HTN (Δ−4,3 cm, p<0,001), and EG-Ele groups (Δ−4,0 cm, p<0,05), body fat in % EG-HTN (Δ−1,9 %, p<0,05), and body fat in kg in EG-HTN group (Δ−7,0 kg, p<0,05). Conclusion: Six weeks of CTHIIT+RT decreased cIMTmax but not cIMTav in HTN adults. These results were displayed with additional SBP/DBP remission in the hypertensive participants, accompanied of reductions of body fat.