The purpose of the study was to investigate the effect of interval and continuous training program on blood pressure and serum uric acid (SUA) levels in subjects with hypertension. Three hundred and fifty-seven male patients with mild to moderate systolic blood pressure (SBP) between 140 and 179 and diastolic blood pressure (DBP) between 90 and 109 mmHg essential hypertension were age-matched and grouped into interval, continuous, and control groups. The interval (work:rest ratio of 1:1) and continuous groups were involved in an 8-week interval and continuous training program of 45 to 60 minutes, at intensities of 60 to 79% of heart rate maximum, whereas the control group remained sedentary during this period. SBP, DBP, maximum oxygen uptake (V02max) and SUA concentration were assessed. One-way analysis of variance and Scheffe and Pearson correlation tests were used in data analysis. Findings of the study revealed significant effect of exercise training program on V02max, SBP, DBP, and SUA. However, there was no significant difference between the interval and continuous groups. Changes in V02max negatively correlated with changes in SUA (r = -0.220) at p < 0.05. It was concluded that both moderate-intensity interval and continuous training programs are effective and neither seems superior to the other in the nonpharmacological management of hypertension and may prevent cardiovascular events through the downregulation of SUA in hypertension. Findings of the study support the recommendations of moderate-intensity interval and continuous training programs as adjuncts for nonpharmacological management of essential hypertension.

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