Continuous Aerobic Training and High Intensity Interval Training Increase Exercise Tolerance in Heart Failure Patients: A Retrospective Study

Abstract

Background: Conventional aerobic training is the first choice in cardiac rehabilitation for patients with chronic heart failure (CHF). However, high-intensity interval training (HIIT) may be an alternative, although it has little evidence.Objectives: To evaluate the effect of continuous aerobic training (CAT) or HIIT on exercise tolerance in CHF patients.Methods: Retrospective study with 30 patients, of both genders, members of a 10-week CAT or HIIT program. The control group (CON) consisted of patients who did not participate voluntarily in the program. Peak oxygen uptake (VO2peak), thresholds (LV1 and LV2), and ventilatory efficiency in the production of dioxide (VE/VCO2 slope), oxygen uptake efficiency (OUES), and VO2 recovery kinetics were analyzed. A two-way or repeated measures ANOVA was used, followed by Fisher's post-hoc test (p<0.05).Results: After 10 weeks of training, the CAT group increased the treadmill speed at LV1 (p=0.040), while the HIIT increased both the speed (p=0.030) and incline of the treadmill (p<0.001) for VO2peak and LV2, as well as the total time of the cardiopulmonary test. The VE/VCO 2 slope was lower than that predicted for CAT (p=0.003) and HIIT (p=0.008). There was no change in VO 2 peak, recovery of heart rate (HR), and VO 2 , VE/VCO 2 , and OUES in both groups.

High-Intensity Interval Training Among Heart Failure Patients and Heart Transplant Recipients: A Systematic Review

“…Four studies in this review have shown either no adverse events throughout the exercise protocol of HIIT or no statistical difference between HIIT with other exercise training, even in one-year follow-up [12][13][14]24]. The HIIT is considered exercise training with a good safety profile among cardiac patients [28]. Thus, HIIT as part of cardiac rehabilitation may decrease body mass among patients with HF with little to no adverse events.…”

Efectividad de los métodos aeróbico continuo e interválico de alta intensidad en adultos con insuficiencia cardiaca. Revisión sistemática

“…Beneficios similares manifestó Busin et al (Busin et al, 2021). con un valor de p<0.044 (velocidad), p<0.001 (inclinación), p=0.009 (tiempo) después de la aplicación del ejercicio aeróbico continuo y un valor de p=0.025 (velocidad), p=0.005 (inclinación), p=0.002 (tiempo) posterior al HIIT, por lo que los resultados fueron estadísticamente significativos en ambos casos.…”

“…Existen otros estudios, como el desarrollado por Busin et al (Busin et al, 2021), que mencionan que tanto los ejercicios aeróbicos continuos y los ejercicios HIIT lograron excelentes resultados en la velocidad, inclinación y tiempo de marcha.…”