Acute endothelial, blood pressure, and glycemic responses after aerobic sessions in type-2 diabetic with hypertension: A double-blinded randomized study

Abstract

Objectives: To compare the acute response of moderate intensity continuous exercise (MICE) vs moderate intensity interval exercise (MIIE) on endothelial function, post-exercise hypotension (PEH), and glycemia in type 2 diabetes (T2DM) with hypertension.

Methods: Twelve T2DM (aged 52.8 ± 3.8 years old) patients with hypertension underwent a randomized cross-over study following isocaloric (200 kcal) protocols: (i) MICE: walk-jogging at 50% of VO₂peak, (ii) MIIE session: walking - jogging (stimulus/recovery - 3:3 min each) at 60% of VO₂peak followed by recovery at 40% of VO₂peak, and (iii) control (CON): lying quietly in a supine position for 30 min. A generalized estimating equation was utilized to verify possible differences over time × session.

Results: The %FMD (Baseline: 3.59 ± 1.58 vs. 30 min: 6.73 ± 4.34) and the absolute FMD changed after MIIE (Baseline: 0.16 ± 0.10 vs. 30 min: 0.17 ± 0.14). Only absolute FMD changed after MIIE (Baseline: 0.14 ± 0.07 vs. 30 min: 0.16 ± 0.07). Besides, MIIE at 30 min provides higher absolute FMD values when compared to baseline from MICE and baseline, 30 min, and 60 min from control. Regarding blood pressure, no PEH statistical main effect was found. Finally, the glycemia changed at baseline vs. 30 min and 60 min after MIIE (210.5 ± 9.4 vs. 127.6 ± 10.0 and 120 ± 8.9), MICE (219.5 ± 12.7 vs. 125.2 ± 12.0 and 118.2 ± 11.6), and control sessions (215.9 ± 11.8 vs. 187.4 ± 11.2 and 172.6 ± 11.3 mg/dL, p < 0.05). However, MIIE and MICE showed higher decreases compared to the control.

Conclusions: MIIE and MICE sessions are similar and effective exercise strategies to induce changes in endothelial function and glycemic responses in type-2 diabetics with hypertension.

Keywords: Blood pressure; Exercise training; Type 2 diabetes; endothelial function.