Protective potential of high-intensity interval training on cardiac structure and function after COVID-19: protocol
Iben Elmerdahl Rasmussen1, Frederik Foged1, Josephine Bjørn Budde1,2
1Centre for Physical Activity Research (CFAS), Copenhagen University Hospital - Rigshospitalet, Copenhagen, Denmark.
Insights
High-intensity interval training (HIIT) may reverse cardiac damage and improve fitness in COVID-19 survivors. This 12-week program aims to reduce cardiopulmonary issues and enhance quality of life post-infection.
Area of Science:
- Cardiology
- Exercise Physiology
- Infectious Disease
Background:
- COVID-19 causes systemic inflammation, cardiac injury, and remodeling, with unknown reversibility.
- High-intensity interval training (HIIT) improves cardiorespiratory fitness and has anti-inflammatory effects.
- HIIT may counteract cardiopulmonary morbidity following COVID-19.
Purpose of the Study:
- To determine if a 12-week HIIT program can safely improve cardiac mass and cardiorespiratory fitness in COVID-19 survivors.
- To assess the impact of HIIT on post-COVID-19 symptoms and quality of life.
- To evaluate changes in cardiac mass and cardiorespiratory fitness following HIIT in individuals recovering from COVID-19.
Main Methods:
- Investigator-blinded, randomized controlled trial involving 40 COVID-19 survivors.
- Participants allocated 1:1 to supervised HIIT or standard care for 12 weeks.
- Primary hypothesis focuses on safety and improvement in cardiac mass and cardiorespiratory fitness.
Main Results:
- The study is pre-results; main findings are pending publication.
- Hypothesized limited changes in conventional lung function indices.
- Anticipated reduction in post-COVID-19 symptoms and improved quality of life.
Conclusions:
- HIIT is being investigated as a potential intervention for cardiac and cardiorespiratory sequelae of COVID-19.
- The study aims to provide evidence on the efficacy and safety of HIIT for COVID-19 recovery.
- Findings will be disseminated regardless of outcome, contributing to understanding long-term COVID-19 effects.
Introduction:
COVID-19 is associated with a marked systemic inflammatory response with concomitant cardiac injury and remodelling, but it is currently unknown whether the latter is reversible. Given that high-intensity interval training (HIIT) is a powerful stimulus to improve cardiorespiratory fitness while also eliciting marked anti-inflammatory effects, it may be an important countermeasure of reducing cardiopulmonary morbidity following COVID-19.
Methods And Analysis:
40 COVID-19 survivors who have been discharged from hospital will be included in this investigator-blinded randomised study with a 12-week HIIT intervention. Patients will be 1:1 block-randomised by sex to either a supervised HIIT exercise group or standard care (control group). The main hypothesis is that a 12-week HIIT scheme is a safe way to improve loss of cardiac mass and associated cardiorespiratory fitness, despite hypothesised limited HIIT-induced changes in conventional lung function indices per se. Ultimately, we hypothesise that the HIIT scheme will reduce post-COVID-19 symptoms and improve quality of life.
Ethics And Dissemination:
This study is approved by the Scientific Ethical Committee at the Capital Region of Denmark (H-20033733, including amendments 75068 and 75799) and registered at ClinicalTrials.gov (NCT04647734, pre-results). The findings will be published in a peer-reviewed journal, including cases of positive, negative and inconclusive results.Trial registration number NCT04549337.
Related Concept Videos
01:20Exercise and Cardiovascular Response
Light to moderate physical activity initiates a series of interconnected responses in the body. The heart rate modestly increases in anticipation of the workout, followed by widespread vasodilation as oxygen consumption by skeletal muscles increases. This results in decreased peripheral resistance, increased capillary blood flow, and accelerated...
01:26Coronary Artery Disease IV: Preventive Measures
01:17Exercise and Cardiac Output
Sustained exercise increases the muscles' oxygen demand, which can be...
01:30Acute Coronary Syndrome III: Diagnostic Studies
01:30Acute Coronary Syndrome I: Introduction
01:29Pathophysiology of Cardiac Performance