Physical activity and cardiorespiratory fitness are inversely associated with an adverse cardiovascular disease risk profile in RA. This means that people with RA who are physically active and have better fitness are at a lower risk of heart disease. However, many patients with RA are not active on a high enough intensity level to improve cardiorespiratory fitness.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n In a recent study summarised in this blog, we aimed to evaluate the effects of high-intensity interval training (HIIT) and strength exercise, tailor-made for patients with RA, on cardiovascular and physical health by a randomized controlled multicenter trial.<\/span><\/p>\n The patients<\/span>, n=87, <\/span>mean age 48.1 (SD 9.66) years<\/span> from rheumatology units in western Sweden<\/span> were randomly assigned into an exercise group or a control group. Patients in the exercise group performed 12 weeks supervised HIIT exercise. Each session included\u00a0 alternating bouts of high intensity intervals (90-95% of heart rate maximum) with periods of lower intensity. This was followed by strength exercise of large muscle groups, <\/span>such as<\/span> leg press, squat, hip extension, pull down, biceps curl, rows to chest, sit ups and lumbar back extension<\/span>.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n The patients in the control group received individual information on the general recommendations of physical activity with encouragement to be active on a moderate intensity level of at least 150 min per week. <\/span>A rigorous safety screening of contradictions to participate in high-intensity exercise was performed on all patients prior to inclusion.<\/span><\/p>\n We found that supervised high-intensity interval training (HIIT) and strength exercise for 12 weeks significantly improved cardiorespiratory fitness (VO<\/span>2<\/span> max), waist circumference, muscle strength, and overall health. Importantly, the intervention did not worsen disease activity and RA symptoms including pain\u00a0\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n The mean treatment effect of 3.7 mL\/ kg\/min in VO<\/span>2<\/span>max, corresponding to 12.6% difference in change, indicates substantial health-related gains for the patients in the exercise group.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n Supervised HIIT and strength exercise in combination appear to be feasible and well tolerated and could be recommended as a treatment option to improve cardiovascular and physical health in patients with well-controlled RA.<\/span><\/p>\n We strongly recommend pre-exercise safety screening before start-up of any high intensity aerobic exercise.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\nHow did the study go about this?<\/h3>\n
What did the study find?<\/h3>\n
What are the key take-home points?<\/h3>\n
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