Is High-Intensity Interval Training Suitable to Promote Neuroplasticity and Cognitive Functions after Stroke?

Abstract

Stroke-induced cognitive impairments affect the long-term quality of life. High-intensity interval training (HIIT) is now considered a promising strategy to enhance cognitive functions. This review is designed to examine the role of HIIT in promoting neuroplasticity processes and/or cognitive functions after stroke. The various methodological limitations related to the clinical relevance of studies on the exercise recommendations in individuals with stroke are first discussed. Then, the relevance of HIIT in improving neurotrophic factors expression, neurogenesis and synaptic plasticity is debated in both stroke and healthy individuals (humans and rodents). Moreover, HIIT may have a preventive role on stroke severity, as found in rodents. The potential role of HIIT in stroke rehabilitation is reinforced by findings showing its powerful neurogenic effect that might potentiate cognitive benefits induced by cognitive tasks. In addition, the clinical role of neuroplasticity observed in each hemisphere needs to be clarified by coupling more frequently to cellular/molecular measurements and behavioral testing.

The impact of aerobic and resistance training intensity on markers of neuroplasticity in health and disease

“…The interaction suggests that exercise intensity has less of an effect on NP in HOA compared with HYA. These data extend and requalify summary reports of previous narrative reviews that compared intensity effects on NP only between individual studies qualitatively (Cabral et al, 2019;Chen et al, 2020;Erickson et al, 2019;Heisz et al, 2017;Hugues et al, 2021;Nicolini et al, 2021;Quigley et al, 2020).…”

“…On the other hand, the prescription of exercise for healthy adults across the lifespan and rehabilitative exercise for patients has undergone a major paradigm shift to intensities often used by athletes (Boyne et al, 2019;Cancela et al, 2020;Conradsson et al, 2015;Constans et al, 2021;Crozier et al, 2018;Dempsey et al, 2022;Diechmann et al, 2021;Frazzitta et al, 2014;Gamborg et al, 2022;Hejazi, 2017;Hsu et al, 2021;Hu et al, 2021;Hugues et al, 2021;Johansson et al, 2020;Kolmos et al, 2016;Landers et al, 2019;Langeskov-Christensen et al, 2021;Luo et al, 2019;Martland et al, 2020;Morberg et al, 2014;Okamoto et al, 2021;Orban et al, 2019;Renteria et al, 2020;Rosenfeldt et al, 2021;Steen Krawcyk et al, 2019;Tang et al, 2016;Taylor et al, 2022;Tollar et al, 2021;Tollár et al, 2018Tollár et al, , 2020Zimmer et al, 2018). For example, PwMS, PwPD, and PwST exercised at 80 % of the age-predicted maximum heart rate (Tollar et al, 2021;Tollár et al, 2018Tollár et al, , 2020.…”

Aerobic exercise training selectively improves cortical inhibitory function after stroke

“…The intensity level of exercise training has generated recent interest across the clinical research community as an approach to optimize neuroplasticity and functional recovery after stroke. 3,30,31 High blood lactate levels, achieved with more vigorous exercise training intensities, have been posited as a key mechanism for exercise-induced improvements in cortical function. 4,32,33 Yet, the relationships between exercise-induced increases in blood lactate, aerobic fitness, and cortical function are unclear, particularly in the context of neurologic dysfunction after stroke.…”

Effect of early integrated robot-assisted gait training on motor and balance in patients with acute ischemic stroke: a single-blinded randomized controlled trial

“…Myogenic factors include the physiological cross-sectional area of the muscle, type of muscle fibers, and initial length of the muscle before contraction, including neurotransmission, neuromuscular coordination, and neural excitation level. 27 Previous studies have pointed out that the muscular strength of the lower limbs of patients with hemiplegia is closely correlated with walking speed and walking independence. Among muscle-associated factors, SPSR is firmly associated with walking speed and walking independence, which are the most important factors determining stride frequency.…”