Journal of Clinical Trials
Open Access

Abstract

Effects of Different Aerobic Exercise Programs with Nutritional Intervention in Primary Hypertensive and Overweight/Obese Adults: EXERDIET-HTA Controlled Trial

Sara Maldonado-Martín, Ilargi Gorostegi-Anduaga, Gualberto R Aispuru, Maitane Illera-Villas, Borja Jurio-Iriarte, Silvia Francisco-Terreros and Javier Pérez-Asenjo

Background: Both exercise training and diet are recommended to prevent and control primary hypertension (HTN) and overweight/obesity. Aerobic exercise is firmly established as an effective measure for lowering blood pressure (BP) and reducing cardiovascular risk. However, there is no agreement about the optimal dose of frequency, intensity, time and type of exercise. This study is a randomized control trial to investigate the effectiveness of different aerobic exercise programs and diet for reducing BP, for improving body composition, cardiorespiratory fitness, biochemical profile, physical activity and sedentary behavior and health-related quality of life in adults with primary HTN and overweight or obesity.
Methods/Design: One hundred sixty-four overweight or obese participants (18-70 yr old) diagnosed with primary HTN will perform different assessments to evaluate BP, physical, biochemical and nutritional condition, sedentary behavior and quality of life before and after 16-week of follow-up. All participants will receive an energy-hypocaloric diet based on 25% of measured resting metabolic rate and will be randomly assigned to control group (only diet) or exercise groups (diet plus aerobic exercise). Participants assigned to an exercise group will train 2 days/week under supervision (treadmill and bike protocol). There will be three aerobic exercise groups: (1) moderate continuous exercise and high volume (MCT) group, (2) high-intensity interval training and high-volume (HV-HIIT) group, and (3) high-intensity interval training and low-volume (LV-HIIT) group. The measurements used in the protocol will be taken before and after the intervention period (16-weeks), and after a six-month period in all participants (i.e., 6 months with only recommendations and no supervision).
Discussion: The results of this intervention will help to better understand the potential of non-pharmacological treatment for improving the well-being of people with primary HTN and overweight or obesity.