HIGH-INTENSITY INTERVAL TRAINING
Pre-operative exercise substantially helps with recovery, study confirms
Dec
Policy-makers are being urged to pay attention to a recent study conducted by the University of Otago, which confirms that undergoing a short program of high-intensity interval training (HIIT) before surgery can significantly aid in the recovery process.
Published in the journal JAMA Network Open, the study analyzed 12 studies involving 832 patients who had participated in preoperative high-intensity interval training. This form of training involves alternating periods of aerobic exercise at a high intensity, reaching about 80% of the maximum heart rate, with active recovery periods.
Dr. Kari Clifford, the lead investigator, explains that the study encompassed various types of major surgeries, including liver, lung, colorectal, urologic, and mixed major abdominal surgeries, lasting over two hours or involving an anticipated blood loss of more than 500ml. The average age of participants in the intervention group was 66, while it was 67 in the control group.
“We have discovered that high-intensity interval training (HIIT) is both safe and effective for surgical patients. Within four to six weeks, a HIIT program can significantly improve a patient’s fitness, leading to a reduction in postoperative complications and length of hospital stay.”
The most significant finding of the study was the improvement in cardiorespiratory fitness (CRF), which measures the body’s ability to intake and deliver oxygen to muscles and organs during extended periods of exercise.
“The combined results suggest that HIIT increases cardiorespiratory fitness by 2.39 ml/min/kg. This difference is not only statistically significant compared to standard surgical care but also clinically relevant, as we know that this level of improvement is associated with a lower risk of adverse postoperative outcomes.”
Typically, postoperative complications occur in about 30% of patients, or up to 50% for frail patients. However, the study revealed that those who underwent high-intensity interval training before surgery consistently experienced a reduction in complications, such as cardiac issues, pneumonia, and postoperative bowel problems.
“Our pooled results demonstrate that HIIT reduces the risk of complications by 56%, which is a substantial improvement. Additionally, patients who participated in HIIT programs spent an average of three fewer days in the hospital.”
These findings suggest that even a short period of pre-surgery high-intensity interval training, as brief as four weeks, can significantly enhance patient outcomes and provide substantial benefits across various patient populations.
The next step is to determine how to implement such programs effectively.
“Supervised exercise programs can be costly, so we are exploring the effectiveness of supporting individuals who train at home or in the community. Funding these programs may lead to long-term cost savings by reducing hospital stays and surgical complications.”
“In the meantime, I would encourage everyone to remember that it is never too late to improve fitness, and doing so can make a real difference in surgical outcomes.”
