High-intensity interval training improves metabolic syndrome and body composition in outpatient cardiac rehabilitation patients with myocardial infarction

Abstract

Background To examine the effect of high-intensity interval training (HIIT) on metabolic syndrome (MetS) and body composition in cardiac rehabilitation (CR) patients with myocardial infarction (MI). Methods We retrospectively screened 174 consecutive patients with MetS enrolled in CR following MI between 2015 and 2018. We included 56 patients who completed 36 CR sessions and pre-post dual-energy X-ray absorptiometry. Of these patients, 42 engaged in HIIT and 14 in moderate-intensity continuous training (MICT). HIIT included 4–8 intervals of high-intensity (30–60 s at RPE 15–17 [Borg 6–20]) and low-intensity (1–5 min at RPE < 14), and MICT included 20–45 min of exercise at RPE 12–14. MetS and body composition variables were compared between MICT and HIIT groups. Results Compared to MICT, HIIT demonstrated greater reductions in MetS (relative risk = 0.5, 95% CI 0.33–0.75, P < .001), MetS z-score (− 3.6 ± 2.9 vs. − 0.8 ± 3.8, P < .001) and improved MetS components: waist circumference (− 3 ± 5 vs. 1 ± 5 cm, P = .01), fasting blood glucose (− 25.8 ± 34.8 vs. − 3.9 ± 25.8 mg/dl, P < .001), triglycerides (− 67.8 ± 86.7 vs. − 10.4 ± 105.3 mg/dl, P < .001), and diastolic blood pressure (− 7 ± 11 vs. 0 ± 13 mmHg, P = .001). HIIT group demonstrated greater reductions in body fat mass (− 2.1 ± 2.1 vs. 0 ± 2.2 kg, P = .002), with increased body lean mass (0.9 ± 1.9 vs. − 0.9 ± 3.2 kg, P = .01) than the MICT. After matching for exercise energy expenditure, HIIT-induced improvements persisted for MetS z-score ( P < .001), MetS components ( P < .05), body fat mass ( P = .002), body fat ( P = .01), and lean mass ( P = .03). Conclusions Our data suggest that, compared to MICT, supervised HIIT results in greater improvements in MetS and body composition in MI patients with MetS undergoing CR.

Risk for cardiovascular disease associated with metabolic syndrome and its components: a 13-year prospective study in the RIVANA cohort

“…On the other hand, an increase in relative skeletal muscle mass over time resulted to have a protective preventive effect on developing MetS [ 17 ]. Additionally, supervised high-intensity interval training has resulted to improve MetS and body composition in myocardial infarction patients with MetS undergoing cardiac rehabilitation [ 18 ].…”

Impact of combined training with different exercise intensities on inflammatory and lipid markers in type 2 diabetes: a secondary analysis from a 1-year randomized controlled trial

“…However, exercise permutations, such as in the duration and intensity of the exercise performed, may influence the inflammatory and lipid profile differently. Recently, high-intensity interval training (HIIT) has emerged as a viable alternative in several conditions including those with CVD [ 14 ], obesity [ 15 ], and diabetes [ 16 ], while having the same or even superior health benefits, to that of the more commonly performed exercise modality of moderate continuous training (MCT) [ 15 – 17 ]. In fact, a previous review with T2DM individuals suggests that short to medium-term HIIT interventions improve glycaemic control, lipid profile, body composition, and cardiorespiratory fitness [ 18 ].…”

Preventive Cardio-Oncology: The Time Has Come

“…HIIT provides more effective and efficient regimens than typical exercise programs, at all stages of prevention (104). HIIT has been shown to improve cardiovascular health components such as fitness (110,111), body fat percentage (111,112), waist circumference (112), insulin resistance (111), blood glucose levels (113), blood pressure (113), and lipids (111,112) in the general population, as well as those with a history of cardiac disease (114,115) and in patients with a history of cancer (116). Thus, HIIT should play role in Cardio-Oncology prehabilitation, habilitation, and rehabilitation.…”