The impact of high-intensity interval training on vascular function in adults: A systematic review and meta-analysis

Abstract

AimWe performed a systematic review and meta-analysis to investigate the effects of high-intensity interval training (HIIT) compared with moderate-intensity continuous training (MICT) or with no exercise (CON) on vascular function in adults who were free of cardiometabolic diseases and those with cardiometabolic diseases.MethodsA search across three electronic databases including Scopus, PubMed, and Web of Science was conducted through February 2022 to identify the randomized trials evaluating HIIT vs. MICT and/or CON on vascular function as measured using brachial artery flow-mediated dilation (FMD) in adults. Separate analyses were conducted for HIIT vs. MICT and/or CON to calculate weighted mean differences (WMD) and 95% confidence intervals (95% CIs) using random or fixed models.ResultsA total of 36 studies involving 1,437 participants who were either free of cardiometabolic diseases or had cardiometabolic diseases were included in the meta-analysis. HIIT effectively increased FMD when compared with MICT [1.59% (95% CI 0.87–2.31), p = 0.001] or CON [3.80% (95% CI 2.58–5.01), p = 0.001]. Subgroup analysis showed that HIIT increased FMD in participants with cardiovascular and metabolic diseases, but not in participants who were free of cardiometabolic diseases. In addition, HIIT effectively increased FMD regardless of age and body mass index.ConclusionWe confirm that HIIT is effective for improving vascular function in individuals with metabolic disorders and cardiovascular diseases and has a superior effect compared to MICT, demonstrating time efficiency.Systematic review registration[https://www.crd.york.ac.uk/prospero], identifier [CRD42022320863].

Aerobic exercise interventions for promoting cardiovascular health and mobility after stroke: a systematic review with Bayesian network meta-analysis

“…The effects of AE on central cardiovascular adaptations and arterial function remain poorly understood after stroke. However, in adults with cardiovascular and cardiometabolic conditions, HIIT is superior to MICT for improving measures of cardiac contractility and systolic function,108 and endothelial function 109. In stroke, preliminary evidence suggests that higher intensity AE can improve diastolic function (eg, right atrial emptying fraction) compared with usual care,71 and that HIIT is more effective than MICT for improving systolic function (eg, cardiac output) 60.…”

“…However, in adults with cardiovascular and cardiometabolic conditions, HIIT is superior to MICT for improving measures of cardiac contractility and systolic function, 108 and endothelial function. 109 In stroke, preliminary evidence suggests that higher intensity AE can improve diastolic function (eg, right atrial emptying fraction) compared with usual care, 71 and that HIIT is more effective than MICT for improving systolic function (eg, cardiac output). 60 HIIT can also elicit acute increases in novel arterial biomarkers, including insulin-like growth factor one and vascular endothelial growth factor, compared with MICT.…”

Protective Role of Chronic Exercise Training in Modulating the Impact of Hyperglycemia on Vascular Sensitivity to Ischemia-Reperfusion

“…However, different modalities of physical activity can be considered. Although intermittent exercise appears to be particularly interesting compared with continuous activity when endothelial function is studied in healthy subjects [ 41 ], this discrepancy is not always observed when the effects of different modalities of exercises are evaluated in the context of I/R whether in human [ 39 ] or animal [ 42 ] studies. When looking more specifically at the endothelial consequences of ischemia-reperfusion, the work of Thijssen et al demonstrated a protective effect of physical activity independent of the type of exercise [ 43 ].…”

Acute physiological responses and muscle recovery in females: a randomised controlled trial of muscle damaging exercise in hypoxia

“…Plyometric exercises are established and valid methods to induce muscle-damage and inflammatory responses [18,19]. From this perspective, plyometric exercise under hypoxia might have the ability to further stimulate pro-inflammatory cytokine release [20,21], for inducing additional muscular adaptive processes.…”