High-intensity intermittent swimming improves cardiovascular health status for women with mild hypertension

Magni Mohr, Nikolai Baastrup Nordsborg, Annika Lindenskov, Hildigunn Steinholm, Hans Petur Nielsen, Jann Mortensen, Pal Weihe, Peter Krustrup

36 Citations (Scopus)
1905 Downloads (Pure)

Abstract

To test the hypothesis that high-intensity swim training improves cardiovascular health status in sedentary premenopausal women with mild hypertension, sixty-two women were randomized into high-intensity (n = 21; HIT), moderate-intensity (n = 21; MOD), and control groups (n = 20; CON). HIT performed 6-10 × 30 s all-out swimming interspersed by 2 min recovery and MOD swam continuously for 1 h at moderate intensity for a 15-week period completing in total 44 ± 1 and 43 ± 1 sessions, respectively. In CON, all measured variables were similar before and after the intervention period. Systolic BP decreased (P < 0.05) by 6 ± 1 and 4 ± 1 mmHg in HIT and MOD; respectively. Resting heart rate declined (P < 0.05) by 5 ± 1 bpm both in HIT and MOD, fat mass decreased (P < 0.05) by 1.1 ± 0.2 and 2.2 ± 0.3 kg, respectively, while the blood lipid profile was unaltered. In HIT and MOD, performance improved (P < 0.05) for a maximal 10 min swim (13 ± 3 % and 22 ± 3 %), interval swimming (23 ± 3 % and 8 ± 3 %), and Yo-Yo IE1 running performance (58 ± 5 % and 45 ± 4 %). In conclusion, high-intensity intermittent swimming is an effective training strategy to improve cardiovascular health and physical performance in sedentary women with mild hypertension. Adaptations are similar with high- and moderate-intensity training, despite markedly less total time spent and distance covered in the high-intensity group.

Original languageEnglish
Article number728289
JournalBioMed Research International
Volume2014
Number of pages9
ISSN2314-6133
DOIs
Publication statusPublished - 2014

Fingerprint

Dive into the research topics of 'High-intensity intermittent swimming improves cardiovascular health status for women with mild hypertension'. Together they form a unique fingerprint.

Cite this