Author(s): BRAVO, J.D., FARIA, L., RAIMUNDO, A., GONÇALVES, C., Institution: UNIVERSIDADE DE ÉVORA, Country: PORTUGAL, Abstract-ID: 312

INTRODUCTION:
With the escalating prevalence of cardiometabolic disorders and an aging demographic, there is a critical imperative to investigate efficacious interventions, especially in the context of heightened cardiometabolic risk in cardiac patients. In this reality, high-intensity physical exercise assumes a pivotal role, standing as a promising and significant modality for addressing these health challenges [1]. This study aims to assess the effects of a 6-week high-intensity interval training (HIIT) program on cardiometabolic risk factors in low-risk cardiac patients.
METHODS:
Twenty-three participants (50.1±9.2 years old) underwent an exercise-based HIIT program. Cardiometabolic risk factors included waist circumference (cm), HDL cholesterol (mg/dL), triglycerides (mg/dL), glucose (mg/dL), systolic and diastolic blood pressure (mmHg). The Friedman test and Cohen’s d were used for within-group comparisons and effect size, respectively.
RESULTS:
At post-intervention, within-group improvements were found for all cardiometabolic risk factors: waist circumference (98.4±14.5 cm vs. 93.6±11.1 cm, p<0.001, d=-0.37), HDL cholesterol (42.9±6.7 mg/dL vs. 54.5±12.3 mg/dL, p<0.001, d=1.17), triglycerides (200.1±60.6 mg/dL vs. 137.3±51.2 mg/dL, p<0.001, d=-1.12), glucose (118.4±28.3 mg/dL vs. 106.5±22.5 mg/dL, p=0.002, d=-0.47), systolic (135.4±9.4 mmHg vs. 126.7±7.6 mmHg, p<0.001, d=-1.02), and diastolic blood pressure (91.3±8.4 mmHg vs. 85.4±6.8 mmHg, p<0.001, d=-0.77).
CONCLUSION:
Our findings highlight the pivotal role of a 6-week HIIT program in effectively reducing cardiometabolic risk factors among low-risk cardiac patients. The significant improvements observed in waist circumference, triglycerides, glucose levels, and blood pressure, alongside a notable increase in HDL cholesterol, underscore HIITs clinical efficacy. Beyond advancing scientific understanding, these findings have profound implications for community health, presenting a tangible and effective strategy to enhance cardiovascular well-being amidst the challenges of an aging population and increasing cardiometabolic disorders.

Funding: This work is funded by national funds through the Foundation for Science and Technology, under the project UIDB/04923/2020 and UIDP/04923/2020.

1 - Hannan, A. L., Hing, W., Simas, V., Climstein, M., Coombes, J. S., Jayasinghe, R., ... & Furness, J. (2018). High-intensity interval training versus moderate-intensity continuous training within cardiac rehabilitation: a systematic review and meta-analysis. Open access journal of sports medicine, 1-17.