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Review
. 2019 Nov;35(4):469-487.
doi: 10.1016/j.cger.2019.07.011. Epub 2019 Jul 12.

High-Intensity Interval Training in Cardiac Rehabilitation

Yaoshan Dun  1 , Joshua R Smith  2 , Suixin Liu  3 , Thomas P Olson  4
Affiliations
Review

High-Intensity Interval Training in Cardiac Rehabilitation

Yaoshan Dun et al. Clin Geriatr Med. 2019 Nov.

Abstract

Recently, high-intensity interval training (HIIT) has been recognized as a safe and effective alternative to moderate-intensity continuous training for older patients with cardiovascular disease (CVD) in cardiac rehabilitation settings in an effort to improve health outcomes. This brief review considers general principles and suggestions for prescription of HIIT for older patients with CVD, specific challenges pertaining to older adults, the physiologic mechanisms by which HIIT contributes to improvements in peak Vo2, and the effects of HIIT on cardiovascular health in older patients with coronary artery disease and heart failure.

Keywords: Cardiac rehabilitation; Cardiovascular disease; Exercise prescription; Frailty; Interval training; Old age; Peak oxygen uptake.

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Figures

Figure 1:
Figure 1:. Principles of HIIT Prescription and Progression
Representative examples of long-, medium- and short-interval HIITs. The short-interval HIIT may be appropriate for CVD patients with low functional capacity (<5 METs) or in the initiation stage of CR (0–4 weeks), and the medium- or long-interval HIIT protocols may be recommended for CVD patients with intermediate or high functional capacity (≥5 METs) and in the improvement (4–12 weeks) and/or maintenance stages (>12 week) of CR. The exercise intensity is constant for each of these HIIT protocols with the high and low-intensity intervals eliciting 85–95%HRpeak at RPE of 15–17 and 50–75% peak HR at RPE of 12–14, respectively. Abbreviation: CR, cardiac rehabilitation; FC, functional capacity; high-intensity interval training, HIIT.
Figure 2:
Figure 2:. Key Physiologic Mechanisms of HIIT for Improvement of peak VO2
This summary figure illustrates the key physiologic systems that contribute to the increased VO2peak with HIIT. As discussed in the text, HIIT enhances the functions of the respiratory, cardiovascular and skeletal muscle systems contributing to the improvement in VO2peak. © Mayo Foundation for Medical Education and Researc h. All rights reserved.
See this image and copyright information in PMC

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