Published Paper Details:

BACKGROUND AND PURPOSE: High blood pressure ranging from 140-159 mm Hg of SBP and/or 90-99 mmHg of DBP is defined as Stage 1 hypertension. Various lifestyle modification can help to control BP in addition to drugs therapy such as aerobic exercises etc. Interval aerobic exercises has shown benefits for reducing BP. There is lack of evidences that compare the effects of Moderate intensity interval training (MIIT) and low intensity continuous training in combination with yoga (LICT+YOGA) on BP in hypertensive patients. METHODOLOGY: 40 stage 1 hypertensive patients of 45-55 years of age were recruited and divided into two group. Group-A (n=20) and Group-B (n=20) received MIIT and LICT+YOGA for 4 sessions lasting 50-60 minutes; for 4 weeks duration respectively. MIIT at work: rest ratio of 3:1 and LICT+YOGA at 11 RPE (30 min) + Surya namaskar (10 min) with warm up and cool down exercises. Weight, HR, SBP, DBP and 6 MWD (for functional capacity) were taken before and after treatment. RESULT: MIIT and LICT+YOGA, both groups showed statistically significant improvements with P=0.00. MIIT was superior in reducing HR, SBP, DBP and increasing 6 MWD than LICT+YOGA with P<0.05 except in weight reduction with P=0.58. Statistical analysis was done using SPSS v. 23 and Excel 2019 for paired and unpaired T tests. CONCLUSION: Both interventions can elicit benefits on hypertension by reducing BP, HR, weight and improve functional capacity. Thus, it can inhibit drug dosage and its adverse effects by addition BP reduction. MIIT was found greater for hypertensive patients to reduce BP than LICT+YOGA.