Effects of high-intensity interval training on the vascular and autonomic components of the baroreflex at rest in adolescents

Abstract

Purpose: In a sample of healthy adolescents, we aimed to investigate the effects of high intensity interval exercise (HIIE) training and detraining on baroreflex sensitivity (BRS) and its vascular and autonomic components at rest Methods: Nineteen volunteers were randomly allocated to: 1) four weeks HIIE training performed three times per week; or 2) a control (CON) condition with no intervention for the same duration as HIIE training. PRE, POST and following two weeks of detraining (DET) resting supine heart rate and blood pressure were measured and a cross-spectral method (LFgain) was used to determine BRS gain. Arterial compliance (AC) was assessed as the BRS vascular component. LFgain divided by AC (LFgain/AC) was used as the autonomic determinant of BRS. Results: HIIE training was completed with 100% compliance. HIIE did not change resting LFgain (P=0.66; effect size (ES)=0.21), AC (P=0.44; ES=0.36) or LFgain/AC (P=0.68; ES=0.19) compared to CON. Conclusion: Four weeks of HIIE training does not change BRS and its autonomic and vascular determinant in a sample of healthy adolescents at rest.