High intensity interval training in UK cardiac rehabilitation - v1
Research type
Research Study
Full title
High intensity interval training (HIIT)versus moderate intensity steady state training (MISS) in UK Cardiac Rehabilitation programmes: a multi-centre randomised control trial.
IRAS ID
187642
Contact name
Gordon McGregor
Contact email
Sponsor organisation
UHCW NHS Trust
Clinicaltrials.gov Identifier
Duration of Study in the UK
3 years, 0 months, 1 days
Research summary
Coronary heart disease (CHD) is the leading cause of death in the UK. Over and above cardiovascular medication and lifestyle education, cardiac rehabilitation (CR) exercise training has been shown to improve quality of life (QOL) and exercise tolerance whilst reducing cardiovascular risk. Current guidelines recommend moderate intensity, steady state (MISS) exercise training based on a wealth of data confirming the safety and efficacy of this approach. However, this guideline predates significant advances in interventional and medical treatment for CHD and, therefore, may not be the most effective strategy for the ‘modern’ CHD patient. Recent research has indicated that greater benefit may be attained by participating in high intensity interval training (HIIT) which involves repeated short bursts of harder exercise interspersed with short recovery periods. Studies suggest that this can be performed without any compromise in exercise adherence or patient safety. However, these studies are predominantly laboratory based, thus not confirming the benefit of this approach in ‘real world’ CR programmes in the UK. In addition, only 45% of eligible patients currently attend CR exercise programmes in the UK, with lack of time commonly cited as a reason for non-attendance. A HIIT exercise programme can be performed in half the time of a MISS programme and, therefore, may offer a time efficient and effective alternative to traditional MISS CR.
The overall aim of the proposed study is to assess the tolerability and safety of HIIT in UK CR programmes and compare the effects of HIIT and MISS on quality of life (QOL) and cardiovascular fitness, function, and health.
REC name
East Midlands - Leicester South Research Ethics Committee
REC reference
16/EM/0079
Date of REC Opinion
4 Mar 2016
REC opinion
Further Information Favourable Opinion