Short term high-intensity interval training in patients scheduled for major abdominal surgery increases aerobic fitness

Abstract

Background: Prehabilitation may improve postoperative clinical outcomes among patients undergoing major abdominal surgery. This study evaluated the potential effects of a high-intensity interval training (HIIT) program performed before major abdominal surgery on patients’ cardiorespiratory fitness and functional ability (secondary outcomes of pilot trial NCT02953119). Methods: Patients were included before surgery to engage in a low-volume HIIT program with 3 sessions per week for 3 weeks. Cardiopulmonary exercise and 6-min walk (6MWT) testing were performed pre- and post-prehabilitation. Results: Fourteen patients completed an average of 8.6 ± 2.2 (mean ± SD) sessions during a period of 27.9 ± 6.1 days. After the program, V ˙ O2 peak (+ 2.4 ml min−1 kg−1, 95% CI 0.8–3.9, p = 0.006), maximal aerobic power (+ 16.8 W, 95% CI 8.2–25.3, p = 0.001), V ˙ O2 at anaerobic threshold (+ 1.2 ml min−1 kg−1, 95%CI 0.4–2.1, p = 0.009) and power at anaerobic threshold (+ 12.4 W, 95%CI 4.8–20, p = 0.004) were improved. These changes were not accompanied by improved functional capacity (6MWT: + 2.6 m, 95% CI (− 19.6) to 24.8, p = 0.800). Conclusion: A short low-volume HIIT program increases cardiorespiratory fitness but not walking capacity in patients scheduled for major abdominal surgery. These results need to be confirmed by larger studies.