Effect of high-intensity interval training on obstructive sleep apnea severity: A randomized controlled trial

Ozeas Lins-Filho; Antonio H Germano-Soares; José Lucas P Aguiar; José Ricardo V de Almedia; Elton C Felinto; Maria J Lyra; Danielle B Leite; Marcos André S Moura; Christopher E Kline; Rodrigo P Pedrosa

doi:10.1016/j.sleep.2023.11.008

Effect of high-intensity interval training on obstructive sleep apnea severity: A randomized controlled trial

Sleep Med. 2023 Dec:112:316-321. doi: 10.1016/j.sleep.2023.11.008. Epub 2023 Nov 8.

Affiliations

¹ Sleep and Heart Laboratory, Pronto Socorro Cardiológico de Pernambuco (PROCAPE), University of Pernambuco, Recife, Brazil; Department of Physical Education, Federal University of Pernambuco, Recife, Brazil; Faculdade Pernambucana de Saúde, Recife, Brazil. Electronic address: contato@ozeaslima.com.
² Centro Acadêmico de Vitória (CAV), Federal University of Pernambuco, Recife, Brazil; Faculdade Pernambucana de Saúde, Recife, Brazil.
³ Sleep and Heart Laboratory, Pronto Socorro Cardiológico de Pernambuco (PROCAPE), University of Pernambuco, Recife, Brazil.
⁴ Faculdade Pernambucana de Saúde, Recife, Brazil.
⁵ Department of Ergometry, Pronto Socorro Cardiológico de Pernambuco (PROCAPE), University of Pernambuco, Recife, Brazil.
⁶ Post-graduate Program in Physical Education, University of Pernambuco, Recife, Brazil.
⁷ Department of Health and Human Development, University of Pittsburgh, USA.
⁸ Sleep and Heart Laboratory, Pronto Socorro Cardiológico de Pernambuco (PROCAPE), University of Pernambuco, Recife, Brazil; Post-graduate Program in Health Sciences, University of Pernambuco, Recife, Brazil.

PMID: 37952480
DOI: 10.1016/j.sleep.2023.11.008

Abstract

Vigorous physical activity has been associated with a reduced risk of developing obstructive sleep apnea (OSA). However, whether high-intensity interval training (HIIT) reduces OSA severity remains unclear. Thus, this study aimed to investigate the impact of 12 weeks of HIIT on the apnea-hypopnea index (AHI) and sleep parameters in participants with moderate-severe OSA. In this randomized controlled trial, 36 adults (19 males; 52.2 ± 9.8 years; body mass index = 34.2 ± 5.8) with moderate to severe OSA (AHI = 42.0 ± 22.9 e/h) were randomly assigned to HIIT [5 periods of 4 min of walking or running on a treadmill at 90-95 % of maximum heart rate (HR_max) interspersed with 3 min of walking at 50-55 % of HR_max performed three times per week for 12 weeks] or a control group (CG; stretching exercises performed two times per week for 12 weeks). Sleep parameters were assessed at baseline and after 12 weeks through overnight polysomnography. Generalized estimated equations assessed differences between groups over time. There was not group × time interaction for body mass index between groups (p = 0.074). However, significant group × time interactions were observed for AHI (CG change = 8.2 ± 3.7, HIIT change = -8.6 ± 4.8; p = 0.005), SaO₂ minimum (CG change = -1.6 ± 1.6 %, HIIT change = 0.4 ± 2.3 %; p = 0.030), total sleep time (CG change = -31.5 ± 19.5 min, HIIT change = 33.7 ± 19.3 min; p = 0.049), and sleep efficiency (CG change = -3.2 ± 4.4 %, HIIT change = 9.9 ± 3.5 %; p = 0.026). Moreover, there was a significant time × group interaction for maximum oxygen consumption (VO_2max; CG change = -1.1 ± 1.0 mL/kg/min, HIIT change = 4.8 ± 0.9 mL/kg/min; p < 0.001)]. However, In patients with OSA, 12 weeks of HIIT decreases sleep apnea severity, improves sleep quality, and cardiorespiratory fitness. CLINICAL TRIAL REGISTRATION: (Registro Brasileiro de Ensaios Clínicos [ReBec]): # RBR-98jdt3.

Keywords: Exercise; High-intensity interval training; Sleep apnea.

Publication types

Randomized Controlled Trial

MeSH terms

Adult
Exercise Therapy
High-Intensity Interval Training*
Humans
Male
Sleep
Sleep Apnea Syndromes* / complications
Sleep Apnea, Obstructive*