title: High-intensity intermittent exercise and cardiovascular and autonomic function.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  The effect of 12 weeks of high-intensity intermittent exercise (HIIE) on cardiac, vascular, and autonomic function of young males was examined.
  
  
  METHODS
  Thirty-eight young men with a BMI of 28.7 ± 3.1 kg m(-2) and age 24.9 ± 4.3 years were randomly assigned to either an HIIE or control group. The exercise group underwent HIIE three times per week, 20 min per session, for 12 weeks. Aerobic power and a range of cardiac, vascular, and autonomic measures were recorded before and after the exercise intervention.
  
  
  RESULTS
  The exercise, compared to the control group, recorded a significant reduction in heart rate accompanied by an increase in stroke volume. For the exercise group forearm vasodilatory capacity was significantly enhanced, P < 0.05. Arterial stiffness, determined by pulse wave velocity and augmentation index, was also significantly improved, after the 12-week intervention. For the exercise group, heart period variability (low- and high-frequency power) and baroreceptor sensitivity were significantly increased.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  High-intensity intermittent exercise induced significant cardiac, vascular, and autonomic improvements after 12 weeks of training.
authors.affiliation: Faculty of Medicine, School of Medical Sciences, University of New South Wales, Sydney, Australia. heydari.dvm@gmail.com
authors.forename: Mehrdad
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Heydari
authors.forename: Yati N
authors.initials: YN
authors.lastname: Boutcher
authors.forename: Stephen H
authors.initials: SH
authors.lastname: Boutcher
mesh_terms: D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D001341:Autonomic Nervous System / Q000502:physiology*; D002307:Cardiography, Impedance; D015444:Exercise / Q000502:physiology*; D006339:Heart Rate / Q000502:physiology*; D006439:Hemodynamics / Q000502:physiology*; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D010101:Oxygen Consumption / Q000502:physiology; D013318:Stroke Volume / Q000502:physiology; D059289:Vascular Stiffness / Q000502:physiology; D055815:Young Adult