Cardiovascular Reactivity to Physical Stress

NCT06319001 | Completed

• 1 other identifier: 2688791
• Study Type: interventional
• Target: 45
• Locations: 1 country
• Sites: 1

Brief Summary

It is well-accepted that an exaggerated blood pressure (BP) response to physical stress has a prognostic value, indicating a higher cardiovascular risk (e.g., sudden cardiac death, myocardial infarction, future hypertension, and left ventricular hypertrophy). However, there is a limited understanding of the underlying mechanisms and therapuetic strategies modulating this response. Therefore, this pilot project aims to explore whether one session of low-volume high-intensity interval training (low-volume HIIT) or combined intermittent heat and cold bath (sauna+cold bath) can decrease BP responses to physical stress. Furthermore, the secondary goal is to investigate whether one brief session learning about positive stress expectations magnifies the decrease in BP following low-volume HIIT and sauna+ cold bath.

Conditions

Blood Pressure; Stress, Physiological

Keywords

Cardiovascular reactivity; Neural control of blood pressure; Metaboreflex; Cold pressor response

Outcome Measures

Primary Outcomes (1)

• Blood pressure (unit: mmHg) response to laboratory stressors

  Response will be calculated as the change from baseline to peak. Stressors employed include handgrip exercise, post-exercise ischemia, and cold pressor test.

  Assessment will be completed before intervention and approximately 30 minutes after intervention

Secondary Outcomes (3)

• Resting blood pressure (mmHg).

  Assessment will be completed before intervention and approximately 30 minutes after intervention

• Endothelial function (% dilation)

  Assessment will be completed before intervention and approximately 30 minutes after intervention.

• Subjective ratings of expectancies (point score).

  Assessment will be completed before intervention and approximately 30 minutes after intervention.

Study Arms (2)

Positive stress education (PSE)

EXPERIMENTAL

This intervention will consist of standardized information about the relationships between expectations and the stress response. Using the CATS as a theoretical framework, the participants will be explained that when people face stressors, i.e., pain, heat, and cold water, the expectations about handling the situation will influence both the experience (e.g., pain) and the physiological stress response.

Other: Low-volume high intensity exercise; Other: Combined intermittent sauna and cold water bath (sauna+cold bath).

Neutral control

SHAM COMPARATOR

To control for the PSE intervention, the participants will receive 15 min of neutral information about the effects of physical exercise on cardiovascular fitness.

Other: Low-volume high intensity exercise; Other: Combined intermittent sauna and cold water bath (sauna+cold bath).

Interventions

Low-volume high intensity exercise OTHER

This intervention will consist of 10 x 10-second interval sprints on a stationary bicycle interspersed with 50-second breaks between repetitions. The cycle resistance will be adjusted to the level equaling the highest power output, which will be determined during warm-up sprints.

Neutral control; Positive stress education (PSE)

Combined intermittent sauna and cold water bath (sauna+cold bath). OTHER

This intervention will consist of 3x10 min bouts in the dry sauna interspersed with 2x 60 seconds of cold water immersion up to the neck.

Neutral control; Positive stress education (PSE)

Eligibility Criteria

• Age: 18 Years - 50 Years
• Sex: all
• Healthy Volunteers: Yes
• Age Groups: Adult (18-64)

You may qualify if:

• Male or female between 18 to 50 years
• Non-smoker.
• Non-obese (\<30 kg/m2).
• Able to walk on a treadmill and cycle on a stationary bike without problems.
• No or little (frequency \< 2 times per month) experience swimming with sauna and cold water.
• Proficient in Norwegian and able to provide informed consent.

You may not qualify if:

• Current or previous regular smoker
• Addictions to alcohol or illegal drugs
• Diagnosed with cardiovascular, respiratory, metabolic, or autoimmune diseases
• Taking prescription medication with known cardiovascular effects
• Judgment by a medical provider that exercise, heat therapy, or hydrotherapy poses an undue burden or risk.
• Cognitive or psychiatric impairment
• Lack of proficiency in Norwegian language oral or writing skills that will hamper the ability to participate in the interventions and fill out questionnaires.

Sponsors & Collaborators

• Western Norway University of Applied Sciences: lead

Study Sites (1)

Western Norway University of Applied Sciences

Bergen, Vestland, 5063, Norway

Location

Study Design

• Study Type: interventional
• Phase: not applicable
• Allocation: RANDOMIZED
• Masking: NONE
• Purpose: PREVENTION
• Intervention Model: PARALLEL
• Sponsor Type: OTHER
• Responsible Party: PRINCIPAL INVESTIGATOR
• PI Title: Associate professor

Model Details: Combined randomized controlled trial with two parallel groups

Study Record Dates

• First Submitted: February 11, 2024
• First Posted: March 19, 2024
• Study Start: February 19, 2024
• Primary Completion: April 1, 2025
• Study Completion: April 1, 2025
• Last Updated: March 11, 2026

Record last verified: 2026-03

Locations

NO (1)