Sex differences in physical and mental health following high-intensity interval training in adults with cardiovascular disease who completed cardiac rehabilitation

This pre-post study examined sex-differences in peak aerobic power (V?O 2peak ) and physical- mental-health outcomes adults with cardiovascular disease who completed high-intensity interval training (HIIT)-based cardiac rehabilitation. HIIT consisted of 25 minutes alternating higher- (4×4 85–95% heart rate (HR )) lower- (3×3 60–70% HR intensity intervals twice weekly for 10 weeks. V?O estimated from a graded exercise test using the American College Sports Medicine equation, body mass index (BMI), waist circumference, blood pressure, biomarkers anxiety depression were assessed at baseline follow-up. Linear mixed-effects models repeated measures performed to examine differences over time between sexes. Of 140 participants (mean ± standard deviation: 58 9 years), 40 female. Improvements did not differ sexes (interaction: p = 0.273, females: 28.4 6.4 30.9 7.6; males: 34.3 6.3 37.4 6.0 mL/kg/min). None by sex interactions significant. Significant main effects showed reductions triglycerides, low-density lipoprotein (LDL), total cholesterol (TC)/high-density (HDL) anxiety, increases HDL revealed smaller , BMI higher LDL, TC females than males. led similar improvements (females: 8.8%, 9.0%) additional health Novelty: HIIT-based rehabilitation other physical mental The number sessions attended was high (>70%) sex. Both good compliance protocol target).