High-intensity interval training and health-related quality of life in de novo heart transplant recipients - results from a randomized controlled trial.

Background: Studies on the effect of high-intensity interval training (HIT) compared with moderate intensity continuous training (MICT) on health-related quality of life (HRQoL) after heart transplantation (HTx) is scarce. No available studies among de novo HTx recipients exists. This study aimed to investigate the effect of HIT vs.

Effect of high-intensity interval training in young heart transplant recipients: results from two randomized controlled trials.

Background: Little is known about the effect of exercise in young heart transplant recipients, and results on group level is lacking. This study summarizes the findings of the youngest participants in two previous randomized controlled trials.

Method: This is a hypothesis-generating study reporting the main results from the youngest participants in two larger randomized controlled trials investigating the effect of high-intensity interval training (HIT).

Long-term effects of high-intensity training vs moderate intensity training in heart transplant recipients: A 3-year follow-up study of the randomized-controlled HITTS study.

The randomized controlled High-Intensity Interval Training in De Novo Heart Transplant Recipients in Scandinavia (HITTS) study compared 9 months of high-intensity interval training (HIT) with moderate intensity continuous training in de novo heart transplant recipients. In our 3-year follow-up study, we aimed to determine whether the effect of early initiation of HIT on peak oxygen consumption (VO ) persisted for 2 years postintervention. The study's primary end point was the change in VO (mL/kg/min).

Effect of High-Intensity Interval Training in De Novo Heart Transplant Recipients in Scandinavia.

Background: There is no consensus on how, when, or at what intensity exercise should be performed after heart transplantation (HTx). We have recently shown that high-intensity interval training (HIT) is safe, well tolerated, and efficacious in the maintenance state after HTx, but studies have not investigated HIT effects in the de novo HTx state. We hypothesized that HIT could be introduced early after HTx and that it could lead to clinically meaningful increases in exercise capacity and health-related quality of life.

Clinical features and determinants of VO in heart transplant recipients.

Aim: To study exercise capacity and determinants of early peak oxygen consumption (VO) in a cohort of heart transplant (HTx) recipients.

Methods: To determine possible central (chronotropic responses, cardiopulmonary and hemodynamic function) and peripheral factors (muscular exercise capacity and body composition) predictive of VO, a number of different measurements and tests were performed, as follows: Cardiopulmonary exercise testing (CPET) was performed mean 11 wk after surgery in 81 HTx recipients > 18 years and was measured with breath by breath gas exchange on a treadmill or bicycle ergometer. Metabolic/respiratory measures include VO and VE/VCO slope.

Importance of physical capacity and the effects of exercise in heart transplant recipients.

One of the most important prognostic factors in heart failure patients is physical capacity. Patients with very poor physical performance and otherwise eligible, may be listed as candidates for heart transplantation (HTx). After such surgery, life-long immunosuppression therapy is needed to prevent rejection of the new heart.

Immediate response in markers of inflammation and angiogenesis during exercise: a randomised cross-over study in heart transplant recipients.

Background: The present study explored and compared the immediate responses in markers of inflammation and angiogenesis in maintenance heart transplant (HTx) recipients before, during and after sessions of high-intensity interval training (HIT) versus moderate-intensity continuous training (MICT). The study aimed to explain some of the trigger mechanisms behind HIT in HTx recipients.

Methods: This cross-over study included 14 HTx patients (mean±SD age: 53±13 years; time since HTx, 3±2 years).

Long-term effects of high-intensity interval training in heart transplant recipients: A 5-year follow-up study of a randomized controlled trial.

Background: Previous studies have demonstrated that high-intensity interval training (HIT) is superior to moderate-continuous exercise in general and in cardiovascular diseases. Recently, we also found HIT safe and efficient after heart transplantation (HTx). This study reports the 5-year long-term effects.

Design and rationale of the HITTS randomized controlled trial: Effect of High-intensity Interval Training in de novo Heart Transplant Recipients in Scandinavia.

There is no consensus on how, when, and at what intensity exercise should be performed and organized after heart transplantation (HTx). Most rehabilitation programs are conducted in HTx centers, which might be impractical and costly. We have recently shown that high-intensity interval training (HIT) is safe, well tolerated, and efficacious in maintenance HTx recipients, but there are no studies among de novo patients, and whether HIT is feasible and superior to moderate training in HTx recipients is unclear.

Peak oxygen uptake and self-reported physical health are strong predictors of long-term survival after heart transplantation.

Background: Peak oxygen uptake (VO2peak ) is known as the gold standard measure of cardiopulmonary fitness. We therefore hypothesized that measures of physical health would predict long-term survival in heart transplant recipients (HTx).

Methods: This retrospective study investigated survival in two HTx populations; the cardiopulmonary exercise test (CPET) cohort comprised 178 HTx patients who completed a VO2peak test during their annual follow-up (1990-2003), and the SF-36 cohort comprised 133 patients who completed a quality of life questionnaire, SF-36v1 (1998-2000).