Abstract
Purpose: The objectives of this study were to compare the effects of two different high-intensity interval training (HIIT) programs (low-volume vs high-volume) on chronotropic responses during exercise and recovery, and to contrast the results of the HIIT groups together to only physical activity recommendations in post-myocardial infarction (MI) patients taking [beta]-blockers.
Methods: Resting heart rate (HRrest), peak HR (HRpeak), HR reserve (HRreserve = HRpeak-HRrest), HR recovery (HRR) as the difference between HRpeak and post-exercise HR, and chronotropic incompetence were assessed in 70 patients (58 +/- 8 yr) following MI with a cardiopulmonary exercise test to peak exertion before and after a 16-wk exercise intervention period. All participants were randomized to either attention control (AC) (physical activity recommendations) or one of the two supervised HIIT groups (2 d/wk).
Results: After the intervention, no significant between-HIIT group differences were observed. The HRpeak increased (P < .05) in low- ([DELTA]= 8 +/- 18%) and high-volume HIIT ([DELTA]= 6 +/- 9%), with a small decrease in AC ([DELTA]=- 2 +/- 12%, P > .05) resulting in large differences (P < .05) between HIIT and AC. The HRreserve increased (P < .05) in high-volume HIIT. The HRR slightly increased (P < .05) in low-volume (5th min, [DELTA]= 19 +/- 31%) and high-volume HIIT (2nd min, [DELTA]= 15 +/- 29%, and 5th min, [DELTA]= 19 +/- 28%).
Conclusion: These findings suggest that both low- and high-volume HIIT elicit similar improvements in chronotropic responses after MI, independent of [beta]-blocker treatment. Supervised HIIT was more effective than giving physical activity recommendations alone. Low-volume HIIT is presented as a potent and time-efficient exercise strategy that could enhance the sympathovagal balance in this population.