Acute Effects of Supramaximal High-Intensity Interval Training in People With COPD

Feasibility and Acute Effects of Supramaximal High-Intensity Interval Training in People With COPD

High-intensity exercise is essential for optimal development of cardiorespiratory fitness and health. This is, however, challenging for most people with chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) due to ventilatory limitations, leading to exercise at lower intensities accompanied by suboptimal stress on the cardiovascular and muscular system.

The aims of this cross-over trial is:

1. To compare the acute effects of short-duration supramaximal high-intensity interval training (HIIT) vs. traditional moderate-intensity continuous training (MICT) in people with COPD and matched healthy controls (HC).
2. To investigate the feasibility of supramaximal HIIT in people with COPD and matched HC.
3. To compare the cardiorespiratory demand, exercise intensity and symptoms during a modified Borg Cycle Strength Test (BCST) and a cardiopulmonary exercise test (CPET) in people with COPD and HC.

In this study, eligible participants attended the facility four times within 14 days with at least 48 hours of rest between visits.

Exercise tests (visit 1, week 1):

After pulmonary functions tests, a CPET on a stationary bicycle was performed according to international guidelines. After 1.5 hours of recovery, a BCST was performed to assess anaerobic exercise capacity and determine exercise intensities for supramaximal HIIT.

Exercise sessions (visit 2 - week 1; visit 3 - week 2; visit 4 - week 2):

The order of the two first exercise sessions (HIIT at 60% of MPO6 or MICT) on a stationary bicycle were randomized. The exercise session at HIIT at 80% of MPO6 was always the third exercise session.

During all exercise sessions, blood collection was performed at baseline after a 15-minute seated rest. During HIIT, blood was collected immediately after, and 30 minutes after the 10-minute HIIT period. For MICT, blood was collected after 10 minutes (isotime in relation to HIIT), immediately after, and 30 minutes of cycling at 60% MAP.

COPD

Inclusion Criteria:

• COPD with non-reversible airflow obstruction diagnosis (post-bronchodilator forced expiratory volume during the first second/forced vital capacity (FEV1/FVC) < 0.7)
• Age: > 40 years

Exclusion Criteria:

• Recent exacerbation of COPD (< 6 weeks)
• Neuromuscular, orthopaedic and/or any other condition that can compromise participation in testing
• Recent lung cancer (< 5 years)
• Unstable cardiac disease and/or cardiac stimulator

HC

Inclusion Criteria:

- Age: > 40 years

Exclusion Criteria:

• Neuromuscular, orthopaedic and/or any other condition that can compromise participation in testing
• Any respiratory disease
• Recent lung cancer (< 5 years)
• Unstable cardiac disease and/or cardiac stimulator
• Too low or high physical activity level that prohibits matching