High-intensity interval training combined with resistance training improved apnea-hypopnea index but did not modify oxygen desaturation index and oxygen saturation nadir in obese children with obstructive sleep apnea.

Purpose: To investigate the effect of high-intensity interval training (HIIT) combined with resistance training (RT) on sleep indices and vascular functions in obese children with obstructive sleep apnea (OSA).

Methods: A quasi-experimental study. Forty-four obese children with OSA were allocated into either an exercise intervention (n = 22) or a usual care control group (n = 22). The exercise group received 24 min of HIIT (> 60% heart rate reserved) and 20 min of RT (50-80% one-repetition maximum), three times per week for 8 weeks. Primary outcomes included the apnea-hypopnea index (AHI), oxygen desaturation index (ODI), and oxygen saturation (SaO) nadir. Secondary outcomes included the Sleep-Related Breathing Disorder-Pediatric Sleep Questionnaire (SRBD-PSQ) scores, vascular functions (flow-mediated dilation and mean blood flow velocity), and anthropometric variables. Outcomes were measured at baseline, at week 8, and at week 16.

Results: No baseline differences were observed between groups. The compliance rate of exercise training was 99.47%. The AHI significantly decreased in the exercise group compared with the control group at week 16 (median AHI 1.30 to 0.60 and 1.00 to 1.60 episode/h, p = 0.01), but not at week 8. There were no differences between the groups in regard to the ODI and SaO nadir and any secondary outcomes at weeks 8 and 16 (all p > 0.05).

Conclusions: The eight-week HIIT combined with RT decreased AHI in obese children with OSA at week 16 follow-up. No changes in the ODI, SaO nadir, SRBD-PSQ, vascular function, and anthropometric outcomes were revealed at any time point. Further research is warranted.