Subjective responses to sprint interval exercise in adults with and without Exercise-induced bronchoconstriction

Affecting Effects on Affect: The Impact of Protocol Permutations on Affective Responses to Sprint Interval Exercise; A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis of Pooled Individual Participant Data

Responses to sprint interval exercise (SIE) are hypothesized to be perceived as unpleasant, but SIE protocols are diverse, and moderating effects of various SIE protocol parameters on affective responses are unknown. We performed a systematic search to identify studies (up to 01/05/2021) measuring affective valence using the Feeling Scale during acute SIE in healthy adults. Thirteen studies involving 18 unique trials and 316 unique participant (142 women and 174 men) affective responses to SIE were eligible for inclusion. We received individual participant data for all participants from all studies. All available end-of-sprint affect scores from each trial were combined in a linear mixed model with sprint duration, mode, intensity, recovery duration, familiarization and baseline affect included as covariates. Affective valence decreased significantly and proportionally with each additional sprint repetition, but this effect was modified by sprint duration: affect decreased more during 30 s (0.84 units/sprint; 95% CI: 0.74–0.93) and 15–20 s sprints (1.02 units/sprint; 95% CI: 0.93–1.10) compared with 5–6 s sprints (0.20 units/sprint; 95% CI: 0.18–0.22) (both p < 0.0001). Although the difference between 15–20 s and 30 s sprints was also significant (p = 0.02), the effect size was trivial (d = −0.12). We observed significant but trivial effects of mode, sprint intensity and pre-trial familiarization, whilst there was no significant effect of recovery duration. We conclude that affective valence declines during SIE, but the magnitude of the decrease for an overall SIE session strongly depends on the number and duration of sprints. This information can be applied by researchers to design SIE protocols that are less likely to be perceived as unpleasant in studies of real-world effectiveness.

Effects of high intensity interval training and sprint interval training in patients with asthma: a systematic review

OBJECTIVE

The aim of this study is to review the effects of high-intensity interval training (HIIT)/sprint interval training (SIT) on asthma symptoms, cardiorespiratory functions, and other variables among asthmatic patients.

DATA SOURCES

Randomized controlled trials published between January 2000 and January 2021 were searched in PubMed/MEDLINE, Web of Science, and Cochrane Library databases.

STUDY SELECTIONS

Following pre-specified inclusion criteria, this review included 7 randomized controlled studies that compare HIIT/SIT as an intervention with any other intervention and/or control group.

RESULTS

Of the included studies only four reported the chronic phase effects of the HIIT/SIT protocols. HIIT and SIT protocols applied in studies differ. HIIT improved forced expiratory volume in 1 s (FEV₁) in the acute phase and maximal oxygen consumption (VO_2max) in the chronic phase in the asthmatic patients (p < 0.05).

CONCLUSION

To our knowledge, our systematic review is the first study evaluating the effects of HIIT/SIT protocols on asthma patients. HIIT/SIT protocols have beneficial effects on asthma patients. In order to better understand the results of these training procedures, studies that will be designed with high methodology are needed.

Reducing Anxiety and Anxiety Sensitivity With High-Intensity Interval Training in Adults With Asthma

BACKGROUND

Low- and moderate-intensity exercise training has been shown to be effective for reducing general anxiety and anxiety sensitivity among adults with asthma. Exercise frequency and intensity have been shown to play an integral role in reducing anxiety sensitivity; however, less is known about the impact of high-intensity interval training (HIIT) on anxiety in adults with asthma.

METHODS

A 6-week HIIT intervention was conducted with adults with asthma. Participants completed HIIT (10% peak power output for 1 min, 90% peak power output for 1 min, repeated 10 times) 3 times per week on a cycle ergometer. Preintervention and postintervention assessments included the Anxiety Sensitivity Index-3 and the Body Sensations Questionnaire.

RESULTS

Total Anxiety Sensitivity Index-3 (PRE: 17.9 [11.8]; POST 12.4 [13], P = .002, Cohen d = 0.4, n = 20) and Body Sensations Questionnaire (PRE: 2.4 [1.0]; POST: 2.0 [0.8], P = .007, Cohen d = 0.3) improved from preintervention to postintervention.

CONCLUSION

A 6-week HIIT intervention leads to improved anxiety among adults with asthma. Future research should determine the impact of HIIT among adults with asthma with clinical anxiety.

Effects of high intensity interval training on exercise capacity in people with chronic pulmonary conditions: a narrative review

BACKGROUND

Exercise training is important in the management of adults with chronic pulmonary conditions. However, achieving high intensity exercise may be challenging for this clinical population. There has been clinical interest in applying interval-based training as a strategy to optimise the load that can be tolerated during exercise training. Evidence for such an approach is limited in most chronic pulmonary populations.

MAIN BODY

In this narrative review, we provide an appraisal of studies investigating whole-body high intensity interval training (HIIT) in adults with chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD). This is the first review to also include studies investigating HIIT in people with conditions other than COPD. Studies undertaken in adults with a chronic pulmonary condition were reviewed when participants were randomised to receive; (i) HIIT or no exercise or, (ii) HIIT or moderate intensity continuous exercise. Data were extracted on peak rate of oxygen uptake (VO2peak; 'cardiorespiratory fitness') and maximal work rate (Wmax; 'exercise capacity').In people with COPD, two studies demonstrated between-group differences favouring HIIT compared with no exercise. There appears to be no advantage for HIIT compared to continuous exercise on these outcomes. In people with cystic fibrosis (CF), no studies have compared HIIT to no exercise and the two studies that compared HIIT to continuous exercise reported similar benefits. In people prior to resection for non-small cell lung cancer, one study demonstrated a between-group difference in favour of HIIT compared with no exercise on VO2peak. In people with asthma, one study demonstrated a between-group difference in favour of HIIT compared with no exercise on VO2peak and one that compared HIIT to continuous exercise reported similar benefits. No studies were identified non-CF bronchiectasis or interstitial lung diseases.

CONCLUSIONS

High intensity interval training increases cardiorespiratory fitness and exercise capacity when compared with no exercise and produces a similar magnitude of change as continuous exercise in people with COPD. There is a paucity of studies exploring the effects of HIIT in other chronic pulmonary conditions.

A systematic review and meta-analysis of affective responses to acute high intensity interval exercise compared with continuous moderate- and high-Intensity exercise

There is evidence for the physical health benefits of high intensity interval exercise (HIIE), but its public health potential has been challenged. It is purported that compared with moderate-intensity continuous exercise (MICE) the high intensity nature of HIIE may lead to negative affective responses. This systematic review (PROSPERO CRD42017058203) addressed this proposition and synthesised research that compares affective responses to HIIE with MICE and vigorous intensity continuous exercise (VICE), during-, end-, and post-exercise. Searches were conducted on five databases, and findings from 33 studies were meta-analysed using random effects models or narratively synthesised. A meta-analysis of affect showed a significant effect in favour of MICE vs HIIE at the lowest point, during and post-exercise, but not at end, and the narrative synthesis supported this for other affective outcomes. Differences on affect between VICE vs HIIE were limited. Pooled data showed arousal levels were consistently higher during HIIE. For enjoyment there was a significant effect in favour of HIIE vs MICE, no difference for HIIE vs VICE at post-exercise, and mixed findings for during-exercise. Although the findings are clouded by methodological issues they indicate that compared to MICE, HIIE is experienced less positively but post-exercise is reported to be more enjoyable.

Acute responses to sprint-interval and continuous exercise in adults with and without exercise-induced bronchoconstriction

The purpose was to compare the airway response to sprint interval exercise (SIE) and continuous exercise (CE) in active adults with exercise-induced bronchoconstriction (EIBC), and to compare ventilatory and oxygen delivery responses between adults with and without EIBC. Adults with EIBC (n = 8, 22.3 ± 3.0 years) and adults without EIBC (n = 8, 22.3 ± 3.0 years) completed a SIE (4 × 30 s sprints separated by 4.5 min of active recovery) and CE (20 min at 65% peak power output) session. Lung function was assessed at baseline, during exercise, and up to 20 min post-exercise. Ventilatory parameters and tissue saturation index (TSI) were recorded continuously throughout the sessions. The decline in forced expiratory volume in 1 s was similar following SIE (-8.6 ± 12.6%) and CE (-9.0 ± 9.3%) in adults with EIBC. There were no significant differences in any of the ventilatory parameters or in TSI during SIE or CE between those with and without EIBC. These findings suggest that SIE and CE affect airway responsiveness to a similar extent. Future research using a lower intensity CE protocol in an inactive sample of adults with EIBC is needed.