International Journal of Health Sciences & Research (www.ijhsr.org) 149 Vol.5; Issue: 10; October 2015 International Journal of Health Sciences and Research www.ijhsr.org ISSN: 2249-9571 Original Research Article Effectiveness of Interval Training Versus Circuit Training Exercises on Blood Pressure, Heart Rate and Rate of Perceived Exertion in Individuals with Prehypertension Amit V. Jaiswal 1 , Atharuddin H. Kazi 2 , Sambhaji B. Gunjal 3 , Prerna M. Tawde 1 , Aashirwad A. Mahajan 3 , Subhash M. Khatri 4 1 Post-Graduate Student, 2 Associate Professor, 3 Assistant Professor, Department of Cardio-Respiratory Physiotherapy, College of Physiotherapy, Pravara Institute of Medical Sciences (PIMS), Pravara Rural Hospital, Pravara Deemed University, Loni. 4 Principal, College of physiotherapy, Pravara Institute of Medical Sciences (PIMS), Pravara Rural Hospital, Pravara Deemed University, Loni. Corresponding Author: Amit V. Jaiswal Received: 22/05/2015 Revised: 05/09/2015 Accepted: 14/09/2015 ABSTRACT Introduction: Hypertension is ranked third as a cause of disability and is a predictor of cardiovascular diseases, cerebrovascular accidents and death. Management of hypertension in earlier stages can prevent subsequent risk. Researchers have proven that regular aerobic and resisted exercises have their effect on lowering BP levels in hypertensives as well as prehypertensives. The objective of this study was to find out the effectiveness of interval training and circuit training on blood pressure, heart rate and rate of perceived exertion after 6 weeks in individuals with prehypertension. Methods: 30 individuals with prehypertension were included into the study based on inclusion and exclusion criteria. There were 2 groups consisting of 15 patients in each group. Group A received interval training and group B received circuit training 5 days in a week for 6 weeks. Outcome measures included in this study were blood pressure, heart rate and rate of perceived exertion. Result: Statistically there was a significant difference found between pre and post levels of systolic blood pressure, diastolic blood pressure, heart rate and rate of perceived exertion in both the groups (p > 0.05). But when both the groups were compared using unpaired t test, there was no significant difference found between both the groups (p < 0.05). Conclusions: Both the methods are equally effective in reducing blood pressure levels after 6 weeks of training in individuals with prehypertension. Key Words: Prehypertension, Interval training, circuit training etc. INTRODUCTION Hypertension has been identified as one of the leading risk factor for mortality and has earned reputation as ‘the silent killer’. [1] A study done in 1939 observed that there was a sharp increase in mortality in individuals with blood pressure (BP) measurements greater than 140/90 mmHg, giving rise to the usual clinical definition of hypertension. The investigators also observed that systolic BP in the range 120- 140 mmHg, especially in younger