Cardiovascular diseases are the leading cause of death globally, with arterial hypertension being one of the key risk factors. Regular physical activity, particularly endurance exercise, is effective in preventing and managing elevated blood pressure. This study aimed to examine the acute effects of two commonly used endurance exercise modalities, namely moderate-intensity continuous training (MICT) and high-intensity interval training (HIIT), on central aortic pulse pressure (AOPP) and peripheral mean arterial pressure (MAP) in healthy normotensive individuals, as well as to identify potential sex-related differences in response. Eighteen participants (9 men, 9 women) were randomly assigned to the exercise protocols. MAP and AOPP were measured at rest and immediately after exercise. The results showed no statistically significant changes in blood pressure between exercise conditions, nor any sex-related differences. However, inter-individual response analysis revealed a higher proportion of responders with acute blood pressure reduction following HIIT compared to MICT. These findings suggest that central and peripheral blood pressure in healthy individuals rapidly normalize in the early recovery phase, regardless of exercise modality, confirming the safety of both approaches. Moreover, the results support the need for personalized exercise prescription, as individuals may respond differently to specific training modalities.
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