Skip to main content

High-Intensity Interval Training Improves Cardiorespiratory Fitness After Stroke

Medically reviewed by Carmen Pope, BPharm. Last updated on Aug 9, 2024.

By Elana Gotkine HealthDay Reporter

FRIDAY, Aug. 9, 2024 -- For individuals after stroke, 12 weeks of short-interval high-intensity interval training (HIIT) is effective for improving cardiorespiratory fitness (V̇O2peak), according to a study published online Aug. 8 in Stroke

Kevin Moncion, P.T., Ph.D., from McMaster University in Hamilton, Ontario, Canada, and colleagues conducted a multisite, 12-week randomized controlled trial with eight-week follow-up to compare the effects of 12 weeks of short-intensity HIIT versus moderate-intensity continuous training (MICT) among individuals at least six months poststroke. A total of 82 participants were randomly assigned to three days/week of HIIT or MICT (42 and 40 participants, respectively).

The researchers observed no adverse events during the study period. There was a significant group x study time point interaction for V̇O2peak at 12 weeks (mean difference, 1.81), with greater gains for the HIIT group versus the MICT group (Δ3.52 versus Δ1.71 mL/kg/min). At the eight-week follow-up, there was no between-group difference seen in V̇O2peak. There were no group x study time point interactions observed for cardiovascular risk factors or mobility outcomes.

"Given that a lack of time is a significant barrier to the implementation of aerobic exercise in stroke clinical practice, our findings suggest that short-interval HIIT may be an effective alternative to traditional MICT for improving V̇O2peak after stroke, with potential clinically meaningful benefits sustained in the short-term," the authors write.

Abstract/Full Text (subscription or payment may be required)

Disclaimer: Statistical data in medical articles provide general trends and do not pertain to individuals. Individual factors can vary greatly. Always seek personalized medical advice for individual healthcare decisions.

© 2025 HealthDay. All rights reserved.

Posted August 2024

Read this next

Shorter Leukocyte Telomere Length Linked to Higher Incidence of Age-Related Brain Diseases

THURSDAY, June 12, 2025 -- Individuals with shorter leukocyte telomere length (LTL) have a higher incidence of stroke, dementia, and late-life depression (LLD), individually and...

Talking Therapy Reduces Depression, Anxiety Symptoms in Stroke Survivors

THURSDAY, June 12, 2025 -- For stroke survivors, talking therapy is associated with moderate reductions in depression and large reductions in anxiety symptoms, according to a...

Adherence to Healthy Diet Improves Cardiometabolic Risk, Even Without Weight Loss

WEDNESDAY, June 11, 2025 -- A healthy diet improves cardiometabolic risk factors, even if not associated with weight loss (WL), according to a study published online June 5...

More news resources

Subscribe to our newsletter

Whatever your topic of interest, subscribe to our newsletters to get the best of Drugs.com in your inbox.