Aerobic high-intensity interval training and maximal strength training in patients with unspecific musculoskeletal disorders improve V̇O 2peak and maximal strength more than moderate training.
Level 2 - randomized trial
Individual randomized controlled trial
PubMed 38956785 · doi:10.1002/ejsc.12126
What was done
73 patients (aged 45 ± 10 years) with unspecific musculoskeletal disorders (MSDs) in a 4-week standard public rehabilitation program were randomized to high-intensity training (HG) or standard low- to moderate-intensity training (MG). HG performed aerobic intervals (4 × 4 minutes at ~90% max heart rate) and maximal strength training (4 × 4 repetitions leg press at ~90% 1RM with maximal intended velocity). MG performed cycling, walking, or running at ~70%–80% max heart rate and leg press (3 × 8–10 repetitions at ~75% 1RM without maximal intended velocity). Outcomes assessed included VO2peak, leg press 1RM, adverse events, dropouts, and quality of life.
What was found
HG achieved greater improvements than MG in VO2peak (12 ± 7% vs. 5 ± 6%, p < 0.001) and leg press 1RM (43 ± 34% vs. 19 ± 18%, p < 0.001). No adverse events were reported, and dropout rates and self-reported quality of life did not differ significantly between groups (both p > 0.05). Improvement in VO2peak correlated positively with improvements in physical role functioning (p = 0.024) and emotional role functioning (p = 0.016).
Why it matters
This study demonstrates that high-intensity intervals and maximal strength training are feasible and yield superior improvements in aerobic capacity and strength compared to conventional moderate rehabilitation in patients with unspecific musculoskeletal conditions.
Limits
The intervention lasted only 4 weeks, with a relatively small sample size (n = 73). The abstract lacks long-term follow-up data, pain scores, and diagnostic specificity regarding the anatomical locations or types of musculoskeletal disorders included.
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