A recent study published in Stroke, the journal of the American Stroke Association, reveals that high-intensity interval training (HIIT) may be more effective than traditional moderate-intensity exercise for stroke survivors. The research, led by Kevin Moncion, PhD, at McMaster University, shows that one-minute bursts of HIIT for 19 minutes can significantly improve fitness levels in individuals six months or more post-stroke. The trial included stroke survivors who participated in either 12 weeks of HIIT or traditional exercise. HIIT involved 10 one-minute high-intensity intervals interspersed with 9 one-minute low-intensity intervals, while traditional sessions lasted 20 to 30 minutes at moderate intensity.

Results indicated that the HIIT group experienced a doubling in cardiorespiratory fitness improvement compared to the moderate-intensity group, with sustained benefits evident eight weeks after completing the program. Both groups showed gains in walking endurance, but HIIT participants maintained clinically significant fitness levels. The study’s lead author, Ada Tang, PhD, emphasized the potential for HIIT protocols in clinical practice, noting the program’s safety and effectiveness in enhancing fitness and mobility in stroke survivors. While the study was limited to higher-functioning stroke survivors, it highlights the promise of HIIT as a rehabilitation strategy, paving the way for further research on its benefits for those with more severe impairments.

American Heart Association. (2024, August 8). Short, intense bursts of exercise more effective after stroke than steady, moderate exercise. ScienceDaily. Retrieved August 12, 2024 from www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2024/08/240808115251.htm