Table 1.

Example of FIIT-VP exercise recommendation for patients regularly taking part in exercise with well-controlled hypertension.²¹

	Aerobic training	Strength training	Flexibility/balance training
Frequency	5–7 days/week	2–3 days/week (aim for non-consecutive days)	2–3 days/week (aim for non-consecutive days)
Intensity	Moderate (40–59% of VO2 max) This intensity will cause noticeable increases in heart rate and breathing but patient would still be able to maintain a conversation whilst exercising	Progress to start in keeping with patient's baseline capacity Seated or bodyweight exercises can be used to start	Stretch to the point of feeling tightness or slight discomfort Seated exercises can be used to start
Type	Prolonged activities using large muscle groups (eg walking, cycling, cross-trainer or rowing)	Body weight, free weight or machine exercises	Can be static, or dynamic stretching (eg pilates, yoga)
Time	Aim for >30 minutes a day. This can be accumulated continuously or in shorter 10-minute blocks	2–4 sets of 8–12 repetitions	Hold static stretch for 10–30s, 2–4 repetitions for each exercise
Volume	Aim for 150 mins/week	To include all major muscle groups	To include all major muscle groups
Progression	Patient can aim to start in 5–10-minute blocks with a 10% increase in weekly volume	Gradual increase in load from body weight to 40–50% of 1RM and then 60–70% of 1RM	Gradual increase in range of motions and difficulty

*Adapted using recommendations from American College of Sports Medicine Guidelines for Exercise testing and prescription.²¹ 1RM = one repetition maximum, the maximum amount of weight that patient can possibly lift for one repetition.