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. 2024 Sep 11.
doi: 10.1113/EP092099. Online ahead of print.

Impact of a 12-week high-intensity interval training intervention on cardiac structure and function after COVID-19 at 12-month follow-up

Iben Elmerdahl Rasmussen  1   2 , Mathilde Løk  2   3 , Cody Garett Durrer  1 , Anna Agnes Lytzen  1 , Frederik Foged  1 , Vera Graungaard Schelde  1 , Josephine Bjørn Budde  1   2 , Rasmus Syberg Rasmussen  1 , Emma Fredskild Høvighoff  1 , Villads Rasmussen  1 , Mark Lyngbæk  1 , Simon Jønck  1 , Rikke Krogh-Madsen  1   4 , Birgitte Lindegaard  1   5 , Peter Godsk Jørgensen  3 , Lars Køber  3 , Niels Vejlstrup  3 , Bente Klarlund Pedersen  1 , Mathias Ried-Larsen  1   6 , Morten Asp Vonsild Lund  2   3 , Ronan M G Berg  1   2   7   8 , Regitse Højgaard Christensen  1   9
Affiliations

Impact of a 12-week high-intensity interval training intervention on cardiac structure and function after COVID-19 at 12-month follow-up

Iben Elmerdahl Rasmussen et al. Exp Physiol. .

Abstract

In patients previously hospitalised for COVID-19, a 12-week high-intensity interval training (HIIT) intervention has previously been shown to increase left ventricular mass (LVM) immediately after the intervention. In the present study, we examined the effects of the same HIIT scheme on LVM, pulmonary diffusing capacity, symptom severity and functional capacity at 12-month follow-up. In this investigator-blinded, randomised controlled trial, 12 weeks of a supervised HIIT scheme (4 × 4 min, three times a week) was compared to standard care (control) in patients recently discharged from hospital due to COVID-19. At inclusion and at 12-month follow-up, LVM was assessed by cardiac magnetic resonance imaging (cMRI, primary outcome), while pulmonary diffusing capacity for carbon monoxide (DLCOc, secondary outcome) was examined by the single-breath method. Symptom severity and functional status were examined by the Post-COVID-19 Functional Scale (PCFS) and King's Brief Interstitial Lung Disease (KBILD) questionnaire score. Of the 28 patients assessed at baseline, 22 completed cMRI at 12-month follow-up (12.4 ± 0.6 months after inclusion). LVM was maintained in the HIIT but not the standard care group, with a mean between-group difference of 9.68 [95% CI: 1.72, 17.64] g (P = 0.0182). There was no differences in change from baseline to 12-month follow-up between groups in DLCOc % predicted (-2.45 [-11.25, 6.34]%; P = 0.578). PCFS and KBILD improved similarly in the two groups. In individuals previously hospitalised for COVID-19, a 12-week supervised HIIT scheme resulted in a preserved LVM at 12-month follow-up but did not affect pulmonary diffusing capacity or symptom severity.

Keywords: cardiac magnetic resonance imaging; diffusing capacity; exercise capacity; left ventricular mass; long‐COVID; rehabilitation.

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