It is well-accepted that an exaggerated blood pressure (BP) response to physical stress has a prognostic value, indicating a higher cardiovascular risk (e.g., sudden cardiac death, myocardial infarction, future hypertension, and left ventricular hypertrophy). However, there is a limited understanding of the underlying mechanisms and therapuetic strategies modulating this response. Therefore, this pilot project aims to explore whether one session of low-volume high-intensity interval training (low-volume HIIT) or combined intermittent heat and cold bath (sauna+cold bath) can decrease BP responses to physical stress. Furthermore, the secondary goal is to investigate whether one brief session learning about positive stress expectations magnifies the decrease in BP following low-volume HIIT and sauna+ cold bath.
Study Type
INTERVENTIONAL
Allocation
RANDOMIZED
Purpose
OTHER
Masking
NONE
Enrollment
58
This intervention will consist of 10 x 10-second interval sprints on a stationary bicycle interspersed with 50-second breaks between repetitions. The cycle resistance will be adjusted to the level equaling the highest power output, which will be determined during warm-up sprints.
This intervention will consist of 3x10 min bouts in the dry sauna interspersed with 2x 60 seconds of cold water immersion up to the neck.
Western Norway University of Applied Sciences
Bergen, Vestland, Norway
RECRUITINGBlood pressure (unit: mmHg) response to laboratory stressors
Response will be calculated as the change from baseline to peak. Stressors employed include handgrip exercise, post-exercise ischemia, and cold pressor test.
Time frame: Assessment will be completed before intervention and approximately 30 minutes after intervention
Resting blood pressure (mmHg).
Time frame: Assessment will be completed before intervention and approximately 30 minutes after intervention
Endothelial function (% dilation)
Endothelial function will be assessed using the flow-mediated dilation technique following current guidelines.
Time frame: Assessment will be completed before intervention and approximately 30 minutes after intervention.
Subjective ratings of expectancies (point score).
Stress, pain, heat, and cold response expectancies will be assessed with single questions specifically targeted to the interventions and experimental tests using a Numeric Rating Scale (NRS) ranging from 0 = no stress, no pain, no discomfort (heat, cold) at all to 10 = worst possible pain, stress, heat/cold discomfort.
Time frame: Assessment will be completed before intervention and approximately 30 minutes after intervention.
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