Effects of moderate versus high‑intensity interval exercise on blood vessel function in healthy and prehypertensive adults
Official title: Difference in Acute Responses of Vascular Function to Moderate-intensity and High-intensity Interval Training in Healthy and Prehypertensive Individuals
Run by University of Ljubljana · NCT07048509 · Data updated 2026-11-12
This will test whether a single session of moderate continuous exercise or high‑intensity interval exercise changes blood vessel function in healthy adults and people with prehypertension.
Quick facts
| Study type | Interventional |
|---|---|
| Ages | 18 Years to 50 Years |
| Sex | All |
| Enrollment | 45 (estimated) |
| Sponsor | University of Ljubljana Academic / other |
| Locations | 1 site (Ljubljana) |
| Status | Recruiting |
| Started | June 24, 2025 |
| Main results expected | December 2026 |
| Study ends | December 2026 |
| Registry record updated | October 19, 2026 |
| Trial ID | NCT07048509 on ClinicalTrials.gov |
Is this trial a fit for you?
✓Likely a good fit
Adults 18–50 years old with BMI <30 who are sedentary or low‑active, not taking prescription medications, and either normotensive or diagnosed with prehypertension are the intended participants.
✕Probably not a fit
People older than 50, with BMI ≥30, established cardiovascular disease or on blood‑pressure medications, those who are highly physically active, or those unable to attend morning fasting visits are unlikely to qualify or benefit from this protocol.
A plain-English reading of the study's rules. Only the study team can confirm whether you qualify.
What this trial studies
After a screening visit, participants complete three morning visits: a 30‑minute rest control, a moderate‑intensity continuous exercise session, and a high‑intensity interval session. Aerobic capacity is measured with a cardiopulmonary exercise test using indirect gas exchange to set exercise intensities and determine maximal oxygen uptake. Vascular function measures including pulse‑wave velocity, flow‑mediated slowing, and microvascular function are recorded before and after each condition to capture acute responses in central, peripheral, and microvasculature. Two groups (healthy normotensive and clinician‑diagnosed prehypertensive adults) are compared to establish reliability of newer measures and to see if exercise responses differ by blood pressure status.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, the findings could help personalize exercise recommendations and support use of simpler vascular tests to detect early vascular changes in people at risk of hypertension.
How similar studies have gone: Prior studies show acute exercise can transiently change some vascular measures, but applying and validating flow‑mediated slowing and specific microvascular tests in this setting is relatively novel and less established.
Who can join: the full rules
Show full inclusion / exclusion criteria
Inclusion Criteria: Normotensive participants inclusion criteria: * 18 - 50 years of age, BMI \< 30, blood pressure (BP) within the optimal range according to the latest ESH guidelines (\< 120 mmHg systolic and/or \< 80 mmHg diastolic BP) * Sedentary or low active according to the Global Physical Activity Questionnaire (GPAQ) (Armstrong \& Bull, 2006; Lim et al., 2012) * No prescribed medication and absence of chronic diseases Inclusion criteria for prehypertensive individuals: * 18 - 50 years of age, BMI \< 30 * Diagnosed prehypertension by a clinican from the Hypertension clinic, University clinical centre of Ljubljana using established criteria * Sedentary or low or moderately active according to the Global Physical Activity Questionnaire (GPAQ) * No prescribed medication and absence of chronic diseases Exclusion Criteria: * Blood pressure out of the optimal range (normotensives) * High level of phyisical activity (moderate or high active according to GPAQ) * Hypotension * Chronic diseases * Prescribed medication * Lower extremity injury in the last six months * Menopause * Absence of normal menstrual cycle * Pregnancy * Smoking
Where it's running
-
University of Ljubljana, Faculty of sport
Ljubljana, Slovenia Recruiting
Study contacts
- Study coordinator: Armin H Paravlic, PhD
- Email: armin.paravlic@fsp.uni-lj.si
- Phone: +386015207840
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How to take part
- Review the eligibility criteria above with your treating physician.
- Check the official listing on ClinicalTrials.gov for the latest contact details and recruitment status.
- Contact the study coordinator or principal investigator to ask for pre-screening. Pre-screening is free and never obligates you to enroll.