Effects of repeated periods of high-intensity interval training on myocardial function in patients with metabolic syndrome: A 16-month follow-up

BACKGROUND: One program of exercise training is useful to improve myocardial function in patients with cardiovascular disease (CVD) but not in patients with CVD risk factors. However, it is unknown whether repeated periods of high-intensity interval training (HIIT) can reverse the progressive myocardial dysfunction observed in patients with metabolic syndrome (MetS). We aimed to follow MetS patients for 16 months and determine the effect of two periods of HIIT, separated by a year, on their myocardial function. METHODS: ), and MetS components were assessed at baseline, after the first HIIT period (4 months), and one year later, after the second HIIT period. Variables were analyzed following the intention-to-treat analysis principle using linear mixed model. RESULTS: improved only in the HIIT group (group*time p = 0.002), while ejection fraction and MetS z-score changes were not different between groups (group*time p = 0.964 and p = 0.419, respectively). CONCLUSIONS: Among middle-aged adults receiving medical treatment for MetS, the addition of two HIIT periods, spaced one year apart, led to significant improvements in myocardial function, that were not observed in the control group receiving medical treatment alone. CLINICAL TRIALS NUMBER: NCT06262256.