Journal of Exercise Physiology in Special Populations

The Effect of Water- Based High-Intensity Interval Training (HIIT) and Detraining on Blood Pressure in Elderly Women with Resistant Hypertension

Document Type : Original Article

Authors

Department of Sport Sciences, Nahavand Higher Education Complex, BU-Ali Sina Univesity, Hamedan, Iran

Abstract

Introduction:
This study aimed to investigate the impact of water-based HIIT and detraining on the blood pressure of elderly women with resistant hypertension.
Materials and Methods:
This study was conducted on elderly women with resistant hypertension (22 in the exercise group and 8 in the control group). The interval training included: Stationary running, Cross country skiing, Jumping jacks and Frontal kick to 90°. Training intensity progressively increased from 9-14 on the Borg scale in the first week to 17-17 in the 24th week. Resting blood pressure was measured before the training program and 72 hours after the last session (weeks 8, 12, 16, 20, and 24). After 12 weeks, the training group was divided into: continued, reduced and detraining group.
A mixed-design repeated-measures ANOVA was used to compare intra-group and inter-group (P ≥ 0.05).
Results:
Twelve weeks of water-based HIIT resulted significant reduction in SBP and DBP (P ≥ 0.05). Inter-group comparison showed that at week 24 both the “continuation” and “reduced” groups had significantly different SBP and DBP compared to the “detraining” group (P ≥ 0.05). In intra-group comparisons, the “continuation” group exhibited significant changes in SBP and DBP at weeks 20 and 24 compared to earlier weeks (P ≥ 0.05).
Conclusion:
Water-based HIIT has proven effective in reducing blood pressure, even in patients who show a low response to pharmacological treatment. Furthermore, the beneficial effects of this type of training are maintained for at least the duration of the training period, even after detraining.

Keywords

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Journal of Exercise Physiology in Special Populations
Volume 2, Issue 4
March 2026
Pages 1-16