Optimizing high-intensity interval training volume in heart failure: dose–response meta-analysis of randomized controlled trials

Background Chronic heart failure (CHF) is a leading cause of morbidity and mortality worldwide, associated with impaired functional capacity and quality of life. Although exercise-based cardiac rehabilitation programs, especially high-intensity interval training (HIIT), have been shown to be beneficial, the optimal duration of HIIT remains unclear. This study aimed to determine the HIIT volume that maximizes VO 2 max improvement in CHF patients, in terms of both session and total duration. Methods A systematic review and dose–response meta-analysis of randomized controlled trials was conducted to assess the effects of HIIT on maximum oxygen consumption (VO 2 max) in CHF patients. Articles selected measured VO 2 max pre and post HIIT intervention with a cardiopulmonary exercise test. Articles including patients who had undergone surgery for pacemaker or ventricular assist device implantation were excluded. The risk of bias of the studies was assessed using the RoB 2 tool. Restricted cubic spline models were used to explore dose–response relationships for both total exercise minutes and session duration. Results Twenty-one studies comprising 449 participants were included. HIIT significantly improved VO 2 max (mean difference: 3.19 mL/kg/min; 95% CI: 2.29–4.09). A non-linear dose–response relationship was identified. A minimum dose of 30 minutes per session and 900 total minutes was necessary to achieve a minimal clinically important difference. The greatest improvements in VO 2 max were observed with 50-minute sessions and a total of 1.300 exercise minutes. Conclusions HIIT is effective in improving VO 2 max in CHF patients. However, the optimal improvement of cardiorespiratory fitness in this population is directly related to the time and frequency of the training. Standardizing and adjusting the volume of the programs can ensure effective rehabilitation and improve patient adherence. These results provide evidence-based practical guidance for clinicians to design more efficient and targeted interventions for this high-risk population. CRediT authorship contribution statement - Conceptualization, methodology, formal analysis, investigation and writing-original draft and final approval of the version to be published: Luis Suso Martí; Francisco José Ferrer-Sargues; Noemí Valtueña-Gimeno. - Methodology and Writing-review and editing: Miriam Garrigós-Pedrón; Juan J. Amer-Cuenca; JF Lisón; Joaquín Calatayud. - Investigation, Visualization and Writing-review and editing: Carlos Salvador Huerta; Óscar Fabregat-Andrés; Daniel López-Fernández.