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. 2017 Feb 8;2(1):bmjsem-2016-000155.
doi: 10.1136/bmjsem-2016-000155. eCollection 2016.

High-intensity interval training improves obstructive sleep apnoea

Trine Karlsen  1   2 , Bjarne Martens Nes  1 , Arnt Erik Tjønna  1 , Morten Engstrøm  3   4 , Asbjørn Støylen  5   6 , Sigurd Steinshamn  1   7
Affiliations

High-intensity interval training improves obstructive sleep apnoea

Trine Karlsen et al. BMJ Open Sport Exerc Med. .

Abstract

Background: Three hours per week of vigorous physical activity is found to be associated with reduced odds of sleep-disordered breathing.

Aim: To investigate whether 12 weeks of high-intensity interval training (HIIT) reduced the apnoea-hypopnea index (AHI) in obese subjects with moderate-to-severe obstructive sleep apnoea.

Methods: In a prospective randomised controlled exercise study, 30 (body mass index 37±6 kg/m2, age 51±9 years) patients with sleep apnoea (AHI 41.5±25.3 events/hour) were randomised 1:1 to control or 12 weeks of supervised HIIT (4×4 min of treadmill running or walking at 90%-95% of maximal heart rate two times per week).

Results: In the HIIT group, the AHI was reduced by 7.5±11.6 events/hour (within-group p<0.05), self-reported sleepiness (Epworth scale) improved from 10.0±3.6 to 7.3±3.7 (between-group p<0.05) and maximal oxygen uptake improved from 28.2±7.4 to 30.2±7.7 mL/kg/min (between-group p<0.05) from baseline to 12 weeks. The AHI, self-reported sleepiness and VO2maxwere unchanged from baseline to 12 weeks in controls (baseline AHI 50.3±25.5 events/hour, Epworth score 5.9±4.3, maximal oxygen uptake 27.0±6.8 mL/kg/min). Body weight remained unchanged in both groups.

Conclusion: Twelve weeks of HIIT improved the AHI and self-reported daytime sleepiness in subjects with obese sleep apnoea without any change in the desaturation index and body weight.

Keywords: CVD risk; HIIT; OSA; VO2max; daytime sleepiness; endurance exercise.

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Conflict of interest statement

Competing interests: None declared.

Figures

Figure 1
Figure 1
Study flow chart. CON, control group; HIIT, high-intensity interval training.
Figure 2
Figure 2
Change in AHI (A), oxygen desaturation index (C) and oxygen saturation (D) measured by respiratory polygraphy and self-reported daytime sleepiness measured with the Epworth scale (B) from baseline to 12 weeks. *Significant within-group difference from baseline (p≤0.05); **Significant between-group difference after the intervention (p≤0.05). AHI, apnoea–hypopnea index; CON, control group; HIIT, high-intensity interval training.
See this image and copyright information in PMC

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