Home-based high-intensity interval training improves cardiorespiratory fitness: a systematic review and meta-analysis

Katsunori Tsuji; Yosuke Tsuchiya; Hisashi Ueda; Eisuke Ochi

doi:10.1186/s13102-023-00777-2

Home-based high-intensity interval training improves cardiorespiratory fitness: a systematic review and meta-analysis

BMC Sports Sci Med Rehabil. 2023 Dec 5;15(1):166. doi: 10.1186/s13102-023-00777-2.

Authors

Katsunori Tsuji^#¹, Yosuke Tsuchiya², Hisashi Ueda³, Eisuke Ochi^#^{4

5}

Affiliations

¹ Sports Research Center, Hosei University, 4-1 Kizukiomachi Nakahara, Kawasaki, Kanagawa, 211-0031, Japan. katsunori.tsuji.78@hosei.ac.jp.
² Center for Liberal Arts, Laboratory of Health and Sports Sciences, Meiji Gakuin University, 1518, Kamikurata-Cho, Totsuka, Yokohama, Kanagawa, 244-8539, Japan.
³ Faculty of Health and Medical Science, Teikyo Heisei University, 4-1, Uruidominami, Ichihara, Chiba, 290-0193, Japan.
⁴ Faculty of Bioscience and Applied Chemistry, Hosei University, 3-7-2, Kajino, Koganei, Tokyo, 184-8584, Japan. ochi@hosei.ac.jp.
⁵ Graduate School of Sports and Health Studies, Hosei University, 4342, Aihara-Cho, Machida, Tokyo, 194-0298, Japan. ochi@hosei.ac.jp.

^# Contributed equally.

Abstract

Background: High-intensity interval training (HIIT) is an effective methods to improve maximal oxygen uptake. However, there is no definitive conclusion about the specific effectiveness of home-based HIIT. This review investigated the effects of home-based HIIT on cardiorespiratory fitness in a systematic review and meta-analysis.

Methods: Four electronic databases were searched (PubMed, Cochran database, Web of Science, Igaku Chuo Zasshi) for studies through March 25, 2023. Eligibility criteria include randomized controlled trials of home-based HIIT in adult people regardless disease or handicaped. Comparisons were made between non-exercise controls, laboratory-based HIIT, and moderate-intensity continuous training (MICT). The primary outcome was defined as cardiorespiratory fitness and the secondary outcome was defined as patient-reported outcomes. The standardized mean difference (SMD) with 95% confidence intervals (CIs) was calculated for quantitative indices. The random-effect model was used as the pooling method.

Results: Two hundred seven studies were identified, and 15 satisfied the inclusion criteria. The meta-analysis for cardiorespiratory fitness showed superiority of home-based HIIT to non-exercise controls (SMD 0.61, 95% CI: 0.21, 1.02). However, no significant difference in cardiorespiratory fitness was observed between home-based HIIT and lab-based HIIT (SMD: -0.35, 95%CI: -0.73, 0.03). Also, no significant difference was observed between the home-based HIIT and MICT (SMD 0.34, 95% CI: -0.05, 0.73).

Conclusion: These results indicated that home-based HIIT was an effective intervention for improving cardiorespiratory fitness in healthy adults and patients. Importantly, this review found no significant differences in cardiorespiratory fitness between home-based HIIT and the group of laboratory HIIT and MICT, highlighting its comparable effectiveness and potential as a practical and valuable exercise intervention.

Keywords: Aerobic capacity; Cardiac function; Cardiovascular; High intensity intermittent training; Home-based exercise; VO2peak.

Grants and funding

20K18921/Japan Society for the Promotion of Science