Faculty Advisor(s)

Laurie Brogan

Download

Download Poster (277 KB)

Download The FITT of HIIT abstract.docx (8 KB)

Abstract

Background: Cardiovascular disease (CVD) is the leading cause of death worldwide, with approximately 17.9 million lives lost each year, and has an incidence of 77-80% amongst those 60-80 years old. HIIT is not the initial treatment of choice in those with CVD among physical therapists because of the fear and concern relating to the patient’s response to high-intensity exercise.

Objective: The purpose of this systematic review was to determine the effectiveness of high-intensity interval training (HIIT) on older adults with cardiovascular disease and, if it was effective, find the proper protocol for this population. This systematic review intends to find the proper frequency, intensity, time, and type (FIIT) of HIIT for these patients to receive the maximal benefits in the safest way possible.

METHODS: The search for this systematic review took place from September of 2024 to January of 2025 and used CINAHL, PubMed, and Medline databases. The search terms within these databases included: high intensity interval training, HIIT, older adults, protocol, cardiovascular, elderly, and heart disease. The inclusion criteria of these searches included participants with cardiovascular diseases, HIIT interventions, peer-reviewed, randomized controlled trials, English language, and published within the last 10 years. After a thorough review of the mentioned databases using these criteria, 12 studies were chosen to be included in this systematic review.

RESULTS: The results of the chosen articles showed that HIIT was more beneficial for older adults with cardiovascular disease compared to interventions of moderate-continuous training (MCT) and control groups with no adjustments to their current exercise regimen. HIIT showed greater improvements in older adults' peak VO2 max and left ventricular ejection fraction (LVEF), as well as increases in 6 MWT and QOL scales. Of the HIIT protocols examined, the most beneficial protocols were the 4x4, consisting of 4 minute high-intensity training, followed by 3 minutes of active/passive rest for 4 sets total, as well as the 2x8, using 8 minutes of high intensity training with 30 seconds of high intensity training, followed by 30 seconds of active rest, for 2 sets. There were also some benefits seen with the M-ullevaal protocol, which is 3 HIIT sets at 90% maxHR, combined with 2 moderate-continuous training (MCT) sets at 70% max HR. These protocols were performed through various activities, including walking, cycling, elliptical, and muscle strengthening exercises.

CONCLUSION: There were significant physiological and psychological benefits seen amongst the older adults participating in HIIT training. Throughout a review of the 12 studies, there was little to no increase in adverse events amongst the HIIT group compared to the MCT or control groups, helping to emphasize the fact that these protocols can be performed in a safe and effective manner for this patient population. There was also an overall beneficial frequency, intensity, time, and type that can be used as a baseline for future intervention within this population. In the future, studies can be done to evaluate the difference between males and females with HIIT training, as well as studies to determine the proper intensity thresholds to reach HIIT.

Publication Date

2025

Document Type

Poster

Department

Physical Therapy

Keywords

cardiovascular disease, High-Intensity Interval Training, older adults

Disciplines

Medicine and Health Sciences | Rehabilitation and Therapy

Review of High-Intensity Interval Training (HIIT) Protocols for Older Adults with Cardiovascular Diseases: A Systematic Review

Share

COinS