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A Real-World High-Intensity Interval Training Protocol for Cardiorespiratory Fitness Improvement
Published on: February 22, 2022
Comparison of high intensity interval training with standard cardiac rehabilitation on vascular function
Jenna L Taylor1,2,3, Shelley E Keating1,2, David J Holland1,4,5
1Centre for Research on Exercise, Physical Activity, and Health (CREXPAH), School of Human Movement and Nutrition Sciences, University of Queensland, Brisbane, Australia.
Insights
High-intensity interval training (HIIT) improved vascular function short-term in cardiac rehab patients, but long-term effects were similar to moderate-intensity continuous training (MICT). Both training types did not significantly alter arterial stiffness or blood pressure over 12 months.
Area of Science:
- Cardiovascular disease research
- Exercise physiology
- Rehabilitation medicine
Background:
- Coronary artery disease (CAD) patients often undergo cardiac rehabilitation.
- Exercise training modalities, including high-intensity interval training (HIIT) and moderate-intensity continuous training (MICT), are key components of cardiac rehabilitation.
- Understanding the comparative effects of HIIT and MICT on vascular health is crucial for optimizing patient outcomes.
Purpose of the Study:
- To compare the short- and long-term effects of HIIT versus MICT on systemic vascular function and stiffness in patients with coronary artery disease.
- To evaluate changes in flow-mediated dilation, pulse wave velocity, and blood pressure following different exercise interventions.
Main Methods:
- A randomized controlled trial involving 54 patients with coronary artery disease.
- Participants completed 3 sessions/week of either 4x4-min HIIT or 40-min MICT for 4 weeks, followed by 11 months of unsupervised home-based training.
- Vascular function (flow-mediated dilation), arterial stiffness (pulse wave velocity), and blood pressure were assessed at multiple time points up to 12 months.
Main Results:
- After 4 weeks, HIIT demonstrated a significantly greater improvement in flow-mediated dilation compared to MICT (p=0.004).
- No significant differences were observed between HIIT and MICT in flow-mediated dilation at 12 months (p=0.153).
- Neither training modality showed significant short- or long-term differences in pulse wave velocity or blood pressure changes.
Conclusions:
- A 4-week HIIT program effectively improved vascular function in CAD patients, surpassing MICT in the short term.
- Over a 12-month period, the long-term vascular benefits, arterial stiffness, and blood pressure improvements were comparable between HIIT and MICT.
- Both HIIT and MICT appear to be viable exercise strategies within cardiac rehabilitation programs, with HIIT offering a potential short-term advantage in vascular function.
Objectives:
To compare the short- and long-term effects of high-intensity interval training (HIIT) with usual care moderate intensity continuous training (MICT) on systemic vascular function and stiffness in patients with coronary artery disease undergoing a cardiac rehabilitation program.
Design:
Randomized controlled trial.
Methods:
Fifty-four patients (age = 63 ± 8 years, 93% male) were randomized to complete 3 sessions/week (2 supervised, 1 home-based) of either (1) 4 × 4-min HIIT or (2) 40-min MICT, for 4 weeks. Patients then continued 3 unsupervised home-based sessions/week of their allocated training for 11 months. Brachial artery flow-mediated dilation, pulse wave velocity, and blood pressure were measured at baseline, 4 weeks, 3 months, 6 months, and 12 months. Data were analyzed using linear mixed modeling and are presented as mean change from baseline (95% CI).
Results:
HIIT showed a greater improvement in flow-mediated dilation compared to MICT after 4 weeks [1.5% (0.9, 2.1) vs 0.1% (-0.5, 0.8); p = 0.004) but not 12 months [1.2% (-0.2, 2.5) vs 0.4% (-0.8, 1.7); p = 0.153). There were no short- or long-term group differences for changes in pulse wave velocity, peripheral or central blood pressure between HIIT and MICT after 4 weeks, or over 12 months.
Conclusions:
A 4-week HIIT program was superior to MICT for improving vascular function, but not arterial stiffness or blood pressure. Over 12 months, changes in vascular function, blood pressure, and arterial stiffness were similar for HIIT and MICT.
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