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Long‐term effects of high‐intensity interval training in heart transplant recipients: A 5‐year follow‐up study of a randomized controlled trial
Author(s) -
Yardley Marianne,
Gullestad Lars,
Bendz Bjørn,
Bjørkelund Elisabeth,
Rolid Katrine,
Arora Satish,
Nytrøen Kari
Publication year - 2017
Publication title -
clinical transplantation
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 0.918
H-Index - 76
eISSN - 1399-0012
pISSN - 0902-0063
DOI - 10.1111/ctr.12868
Subject(s) - medicine , interval training , anxiety , randomized controlled trial , high intensity interval training , heart transplantation , physical therapy , heart rate , transplantation , cardiology , blood pressure , psychiatry
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 ( HT x). This study reports the 5‐year long‐term effects. Design and Methods Forty‐one HT x patients who had completed the previous 12‐month randomized controlled trial, comparing HIT intervention with usual care, were eligible. In particular, we measured VO 2peak , 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 HT x: 4.1±2.2 years. Within the HIT group, initial VO 2peak increased significantly from 27.7±5.7 to 31.2±5.3 mL /kg/min. However, during the next 4 years, VO 2peak decreased to 26.0±6.2 mL /kg/min. The control group showed slightly decreasing VO 2peak values during the entire 5‐year period. The HIT group reported significantly less anxiety symptoms, but there were no long‐term differences in VO 2peak , muscular capacity, or cardiac allograft vasculopathy between the groups. The similar VO 2peak 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 HT x.