HIIT Proven More Effective Than Moderate Exercise in Post-Stroke Recovery, Study Reveals - Video

Limited evidence supports the effects of short-interval high-intensity interval training (HIIT) for improving cardiorespiratory fitness (VO2 peak) after stroke. Hence, with this the authors aimed to compare the effects of 12 weeks of short-interval HIIT versus moderate-intensity continuous training (MICT) on V̇O2peak, cardiovascular risk factors, and mobility outcomes among individuals ≥6 months poststroke.

This study was a multi-site, 12-week randomized controlled trial with an 8-week follow-up. Participants were randomized into 3 d/wk of HIIT with 10×1 minute 80%–100% heart rate reserve interspersed with 1 minute 30% heart rate reserve or MICT which is 20–30 minutes 40%–60% heart rate reserve.

Secondary outcomes of the trial, including V̇O2peak, cardiovascular risk factors (carotid-femoral pulse wave velocity, blood pressure, and waist-hip ratio), and mobility (6-minute walk test, 10 m gait speed), were reported.

The results showed that of the 305 potential participants, 82 consented and were randomized to HIIT (n=42) or MICT (n=40). Participants attended 82% of visits. A significant group×study time point interaction was found for V̇O2peak at 12 weeks whereby the HIIT group had greater gains in V̇O2peak compared with the MICT group. However, there was no between-group difference in V̇O2peak at 8-week follow-up.

Hence, the researchers concluded that short-interval HIIT may be an effective alternative to MICT for improving V̇O2peak at 12 weeks postintervention.

Ref: Kevin Moncion, Lynden Rodrigues et al. Cardiorespiratory Fitness Benefits of High-Intensity Interval Training After Stroke: A Randomized Controlled Trial; Stroke; https://doi.org/10.1161/STROKEAHA.124.046564