High-intensity interval training significantly improved VO2 peak by +1.69 mL·kg−1·min−1 in CAD and +2.46 mL·kg−1·min−1 in HF patients, with greater benefits in HF.
Does High-Intensity Interval Training (HIIT) improve peak oxygen uptake (VO2peak) and oxygen consumption at the first ventilatory threshold (VO2 at VT1) in patients with coronary artery disease (CAD) or heart failure (HF)?
High-intensity interval training effectively improves peak oxygen uptake in patients with coronary artery disease and heart failure, with specific optimal dose parameters identified for each condition.
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Objective This systematic review and meta-analysis aimed to determine the optimal exercise dose parameters of High-Intensity Interval Training (HIIT)—including frequency, total training period, session duration, recovery intensity, and number of sessions—for patients with coronary artery disease (CAD) or heart failure (HF), and to evaluate its effects on peak oxygen uptake (VO 2 peak) and oxygen consumption at the first ventilatory threshold (VO 2 at VT1). Methods Randomized controlled trials (RCTs) investigating HIIT in CAD or HF patients and reporting VO 2 peak and/or VO 2 at VT1 were identified by searching seven databases. The Cochrane RoB2 tool and RevMan 5.4 software were used for risk-of-bias assessment and statistical analysis. Results Nineteen RCTs involving 1,152 patients (HIIT: n = 571; control: n = 581) were included. HIIT significantly improved VO 2 peak in both CAD patients (+1.69 mL·kg −1 ·min −1 , 95% CI: 1.02–2.35, P 0.00001) and HF patients (+2.46 mL·kg −1 ·min −1 , 95% CI: 0.64–4.28, P = 0.008), with a greater improvement observed in HF. VO 2 at VT1 also significantly increased in CAD (3 studies, n = 501: +0.97 mL·kg −1 ·min −1 , 95% CI: 0.39–1.56, P = 0.001; I 2 = 34%) and HF (5 studies, n = 112: +1.39 mL·kg −1 ·min −1 , 95% CI: 0.23–2.56, P = 0.02; I 2 = 0%). Subgroup analyses indicated that improvements in VO 2 peak were influenced by patient characteristics and exercise parameters. For CAD, greater benefits were associated with single-session duration 35 min, ≥36 sessions, and total training period ≥12 weeks. For HF, benefits were linked to single-session duration 35 min and frequency ≥3 days/week. Heterogeneity was moderate for CAD ( I 2 = 45%) and high for HF ( I 2 = 79%), suggesting variations related to study design and HIIT protocols. Conclusion HIIT effectively improves VO 2 peak in both CAD and HF patients, with potentially greater benefits in HF. Dose-response analysis provides preliminary insights into its effect on submaximal exercise capacity (VO 2 at VT1). Optimal parameters are: for CAD—frequency ≥2 days/week, total period ≥12 weeks, session duration 35 min, active recovery intensity ≥40% VO 2 peak, work/rest ratio 0.5–1.33; for HF—frequency ≥3 days/week, total period ≥12 weeks, session duration 35 min, active recovery intensity ≥40%, work/rest ratio 0.5–1.
Wu et al. (Fri,) reported a other. High-intensity interval training significantly improved VO2 peak by +1.69 mL·kg−1·min−1 in CAD and +2.46 mL·kg−1·min−1 in HF patients, with greater benefits in HF.