High-intensity interval training in people with spinal cord injury: a systematic review

ABSTRACT Objective: Analyze the effects of high-intensity interval training (HIIT) on cardiometabolic parameters, and cardiorespiratory fitness to compile the most used HIIT training types in adults with spinal cord injury (SCI). Methods: This is a systematic review of searches performed in the electronic databases PubMed / Medline, Science Direct, and Google Scholar. Studies included I) needed to apply HIIT training II) adults with SCI to analyze III) cardiometabolic aspects and cardiorespiratory fitness. Two independent reviewers selected the articles for inclusion, extracted their data, and assessed their methodological quality. Results: 654 studies were found. Thus, 12 studies, 11 pre- and post-intervention, and one control group (CG) with 106 participants were analyzed. Pre- and post-HIITT intervention results revealed significant improvement in cardiorespiratory fitness and cardiometabolic aspects (VO2peak, LDH, HDL, insulin resistance). In addition, GC results revealed significant improvement in cardiorespiratory fitness observed in the intervention group (HIIT) compared to the moderate-low intensity (GC) group. Seven studies used the arm ergometer as the primary exercise modality. Two studies described functional electrical stimulation (FES) performed with the arm ergometer plus electrical stimulation in the lower limbs. None reported heart rate dynamics during the study period. Conclusion: High-intensity interval training improves physical fitness and cardiometabolic health in adults with SCI. Evidence level II; Systematic Review of level II studies.