Marianne Yardley1,2,3, Lars Gullestad1,3,4, Bjørn Bendz1,3, Elisabeth Bjørkelund1, Katrine Rolid1, Satish Arora1, Kari Nytrøen1,3. 1. Department of Cardiology, Oslo University Hospital, Rikshospitalet, Oslo, Norway. 2. The Norwegian Health Association, Oslo, Norway. 3. Faculty of Medicine, University of Oslo, Oslo, Norway. 4. Center for Heart Failure Research, Faculty of Medicine, University of Oslo, Oslo, Norway.
Abstract
BACKGROUND: Previous studies have demonstrated that high-intensity interval training (HIT) is superior to moderate-continuous exercise in general and in cardiovascular diseases. Recently, we also found HIT safe and efficient after heart transplantation (HTx). This study reports the 5-year long-term effects. DESIGN AND METHODS: Forty-one HTx patients who had completed the previous 12-month randomized controlled trial, comparing HIT intervention with usual care, were eligible. In particular, we measured VO2peak , muscular capacity, intravascular ultrasound, and questionnaires measuring physical and mental health. RESULTS: The baseline mean±SD values were as follows: age; 49.1±16.5 years, men; 68%, time since HTx: 4.1±2.2 years. Within the HIT group, initial VO2peak increased significantly from 27.7±5.7 to 31.2±5.3 mL/kg/min. However, during the next 4 years, VO2peak decreased to 26.0±6.2 mL/kg/min. The control group showed slightly decreasing VO2peak values during the entire 5-year period. The HIT group reported significantly less anxiety symptoms, but there were no long-term differences in VO2peak , muscular capacity, or cardiac allograft vasculopathy between the groups. The similar VO2peak values correspond to our findings of similar everyday activity. CONCLUSION: Our findings suggest that intermittent periods of HIT may be necessary to maintain the initial benefits gained from the intervention. However, HIT probably reduces the burden of anxiety, which is a frequent health issue following HTx.
RCT Entities:
BACKGROUND: Previous studies have demonstrated that high-intensity interval training (HIT) is superior to moderate-continuous exercise in general and in cardiovascular diseases. Recently, we also found HIT safe and efficient after heart transplantation (HTx). This study reports the 5-year long-term effects. DESIGN AND METHODS: Forty-one HTx patients who had completed the previous 12-month randomized controlled trial, comparing HIT intervention with usual care, were eligible. In particular, we measured VO2peak , muscular capacity, intravascular ultrasound, and questionnaires measuring physical and mental health. RESULTS: The baseline mean±SD values were as follows: age; 49.1±16.5 years, men; 68%, time since HTx: 4.1±2.2 years. Within the HIT group, initial VO2peak increased significantly from 27.7±5.7 to 31.2±5.3 mL/kg/min. However, during the next 4 years, VO2peak decreased to 26.0±6.2 mL/kg/min. The control group showed slightly decreasing VO2peak values during the entire 5-year period. The HIT group reported significantly less anxiety symptoms, but there were no long-term differences in VO2peak , muscular capacity, or cardiac allograft vasculopathy between the groups. The similar VO2peak values correspond to our findings of similar everyday activity. CONCLUSION: Our findings suggest that intermittent periods of HIT may be necessary to maintain the initial benefits gained from the intervention. However, HIT probably reduces the burden of anxiety, which is a frequent health issue following HTx.