The Effect of Skating Exercises as High-Intensity Interval Training on Elderly Stroke Patients

Abstract

Background/objectives: High-intensity interval training (HIIT) can optimize recovery by complementing the low cardiovascular fitness intensities typically achieved in stroke rehabilitation programs. Skating exercise is an HIIT workout developed based on ice skating movements, and we investigated the effects of this exercise on the cardiorespiratory fitness of elderly patients with minor stroke.

Methods: Participants aged 65 or older with a National Institutes of Health Stroke Scale score of 3 or lower were recruited. This study was designed as a randomized controlled trial, in which the intervention group engaged in skating exercises following HIIT, while the control group underwent moderate-intensity continuous training (MICT). Both groups of participants performed either HIIT or MICT for 20 min per day, four times a week, over three months.

Results: A total of 34 elderly patients with minor stroke were recruited, with an average age of 70.7 years. For three months, no fall-down injuries or adverse cardiovascular or cerebrovascular events were reported among patients undergoing HIIT or MICT. Both the intervention and control groups showed significant increases in the measures of aerobic capacity after the intervention. However, the patients in the intervention group exhibited significantly greater improvements in peak oxygen uptake, ventilatory threshold, and peak MET (p = 0.005, p = 0.002, and p = 0.024, respectively). Additionally, the Berg Balance Scale (BBS) scores and the skeletal muscle mass index showed significantly greater enhancements in the intervention group compared to the control group (p = 0.032 and p = 0.032).

Conclusions: In conclusion, skating exercise could be a safe and effective HIIT protocol for elderly people who have experienced a minor stroke.

Keywords: cardiorespiratory fitness; exercise; high-intensity interval training; muscles; postural balance; rehabilitation; skating; stroke.

Figure 1

Continuous movement of skating exercise. (A) The patient stands on one leg with the knee slightly bent, shifting the center of gravity downward, while the other foot is positioned behind the body. (B–E) The patient jumps sideways to the left and lands on the left leg. The right leg is brought behind the left ankle. Simultaneously, the arms and legs are alternated, similar to speed skating. (F) The patient jumps to the right with the right leg to change direction. This completes one repetition.

Figure 2

CONSORT flow diagram of recruitment to, allocation within, and participation in this study.

Figure 3

Changes in the BBS and SMI of the participants after 3 months of HIIT and MICT. The intervention group (n = 17) that underwent HIIT showed a significant improvement in the BBS and SMI compared to the control group (n = 17) that underwent MICT. (A) BBS. (B) SMI. HIIT, high-intensity interval training; MICT, moderate-intensity continuous training; BBS, Berg Balance Scale; SMI, skeletal muscle mass index.