Blood Pressure and Heart Rate Variability Responses to High-Intensity Interval Training in Untrained Postmenopausal Women

ABSTRACT

Purpose: The aim of this study was to analyze the blood pressure (BP) and heart rate variability (HRV) responses in untrained postmenopausal women submitted to acute single sessions of high-intensity interval training (HIT). Method: Sixteen postmenopausal women (59.9 ± 5.6 years, 26.7 ± 3.0 kg/m²) participated in a random order of two acute sessions in a balanced crossover format: control without exercise in sitting position or HIT session. BP and heart rate (HR) were recorded before and during 60 min following the sessions. Results: Diastolic (DBP), mean BP (MBP), and double product (DPO) showed interaction (p < .01). DBP, MBP, and DPO increased (p < .01) after HIT but not after the control session. The area under the curve (AUC) of DBP (p = .02) and DPO (p < .01) were different between conditions. Time and frequency indices of HRV presented interaction (p < .05) which impaired these indices post-HIT, but not post-control. The AUC of time and frequency HRV indices were different between conditions. Conclusions: A single session of HIT may increase BP and cardiac stress and cause perturbation of the autonomic function in untrained postmenopausal women.

KEYWORDS:

• Heart rate
• autonomic function
• aerobic exercise
• double product
• menopause

Acknowledgments

The authors would like to thank the Coordenação de Aperfeiçoamento de Pessoal de Nível Superior for the researcher grant (PNPD-CAPES–Victor Hugo de Freitas).

Additional information

Funding

The study received scholarship grants from the Coordenação de Aperfeiçoamento de Pessoal de Nível Superior (PNPD- CAPES – Victor Hugo de Freitas). This study was approved by the Human Research Ethics Committee of the Federal University of Uberlândia (CAAE: 07559319.5.0000.5152; nº 3.299.428).