BACKGROUND: The acute effects of high-intensity interval training (HIIT) on blood pressure (BP) may depend on the exercise protocol performed. PURPOSE: To compare the acute effect of high- and low-volume HIIT on post-exercise and ambulatory BP in untrained older females diagnosed with both type 2 diabetes and hypertension. METHODS: Fifteen females (69 (65 to 74) yr) completed a crossover study with three experimental conditions: (1) REST (35 min in sitting position); (2) HIIT10 (10 x 1 min at 90% heart rate max (HRmax)), and (3) HIIT4 (4 x 4 min at 90% HRmax). After each experimental condition, BP was measured under controlled (4 h) and in subsequent free-living conditions (20 h). RESULTS: In the controlled post-condition 4-h period, no significant interaction (time-condition) was observed for all BP parameters (p >= 0.082). Similarly, during the subsequent 20-h free-living ambulatory monitoring (diurnal and nocturnal), no differences between conditions were detected (p >= 0.094). A significant reduction in nighttime pulse pressure was observed in both HIIT4 and HIIT10 compared with REST (46 (44 to 50), 45 (42 to 53) versus 50 (45 to 57) mm Hg, respectively; p <= 0.018) with no differences between HIIT conditions (p = 0.316). Changes in nocturnal systolic BP approached but did not reach statistical significance (p = 0.068). CONCLUSIONS: This study suggests that in untrained older females living with type 2 diabetes and hypertension, the HIIT10 and HIIT4 protocols have very limited to no acute effect on post-exercise and ambulatory BP. The fact that the vast majority of participants had well-controlled office and ambulatory BP values as well as low cardiorespiratory fitness could explain these findings.

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