HAPI Fit: An Exercise Intervention to Improve Peak Aerobic Capacity in Young Adults Born Very Preterm

Abstract

Introduction Individuals born preterm have reduced aerobic capacity, which could be related to impaired organ development. Their capacity to improve aerobic capacity with exercise training could therefore be limited but this remains unknown. We aimed to test an exercise intervention to improve cardiorespiratory fitness in adults born preterm. Methods 21 very preterm and 37 full-term individuals, aged 18-33 years, took part in a 14-week supervised exercise intervention of cardiovascular, resistance and flexibility training (2 groups and 1 individual sessions/week). Adherence and compliance to intervention was recorded. Primary outcome was change in peak oxygen consumption (peak O2) measured pre- and post-intervention. Within and between-groups differences were estimated using non-parametric tests. Results Of 219 eligible individuals, 58 were enrolled and 14 participants dropped out over the course of the intervention. Among the 44 who completed the intervention, mean adherence was 82% and 66% for group and individual sessions, respectively. Compliance with training requirement varied between 71-100%. There was no difference in adherence between the preterm and full-term groups. Because only one preterm male met adherence criteria, subsequent analyses were done exclusively on females. Both the term and preterm groups achieved higher peak O2 following the intervention [term = +4.2 (standard deviation 4.3) mL·min-1·kg-1, P < 0.01; preterm = +4.7 (2.9) mL·min-1·kg-1, P < 0.01]. There was no between-group difference in the response to the intervention (P = 0.729). Conclusions Recruitment and adherence to an exercise intervention are challenging. Results could indicate improvements in cardiorespiratory fitness in young women born preterm following current exercise program. Adaptation of this intervention is needed for wider uptake.