Skip to content

Effectiveness of High Intensity Interval Training (HIIT) on Improving Cardiometabolic Health After SCI

High-intensity Interval Training Versus Moderate Intensity Continuous Training as a Means to Improve Cardiometabolic Health After Spinal Cord Injury

Status
Completed
Phases
NA
Study type
Interventional
Source
ClinicalTrials.gov
Registry ID
NCT03808363
Enrollment
8
Registered
2019-01-17
Start date
2019-02-01
Completion date
2019-12-15
Last updated
2020-01-18

For informational purposes only — not medical advice. Sourced from public registries and may not reflect the latest updates. Terms

Conditions

Cardiovascular Diseases, Metabolic Syndrome

Keywords

Metabolic Syndrome, Spinal Cord Injury, Cardiovascular Disease, High Intensity Interval Training

Brief summary

Testing the efficacy of high intensity interval training (HIIT), as compared to current research supporting moderate intensity continuous training (MICT), as a means to improve cardiometabolic health after spinal cord injury.

Detailed description

This study aims to challenge the effectiveness of the current aerobic exercise recommendations for individuals with spinal cord injuries (SCI). Currently, moderate intensity continuous training (MICT) is suggested however this study intends to explore the effectiveness of high intensity interval training (HIIT). To do so, approximately 8 individuals with SCI will be undergo a 6 week HIIT intervention consisting of 3 sessions per week. With a focus on cardiometabolic health markers (listed in outcome measure section), we aim to provide support for HIIT as a viable method of mitigating cardiovascular risk in a SCI population.

Interventions

OTHERHigh Intensity Interval Training

Participants assigned to this group will perform a very mild 5-minute warm-up (0 resistance, and 60 rpm), followed by 5 one-minute bouts of high intensity exercise, with 90 seconds between each bout. These bouts will be followed by a 3-minute cool down (0 resistance, and 60 rpm). The high-intensity exercise will be performed at an intensity of 17 on the Borg rating of perceived exertion (RPE) scale (very hard), and the 90 second active rest intervals will be performed at an intensity of 7-9 (very, very light - very light). The exercise will be performed on the NuStep machine 3 times a week for 6 weeks.

Sponsors

Brock University
Lead SponsorOTHER

Study design

Allocation
NA
Intervention model
SINGLE_GROUP
Primary purpose
PREVENTION
Masking
NONE

Intervention model description

6 week exercise intervention testing the efficacy of high intensity interval training as compared to current research supporting moderate intensity continuous exercise as a means to mitigate cardiometabolic decline following spinal cord injury

Eligibility

Sex/Gender
ALL
Age
18 Years to No maximum
Healthy volunteers
Yes

Inclusion criteria

* Individuals with a spinal cord injury (paraplegia or tetraplegia, complete or incomplete) who are at least one-year post injury. * Declared medically stable, and able to communicate clearly in English.

Design outcomes

Primary

MeasureTime frameDescription
Adiponectin6 weeksAdiponectin will will be used as a surrogate for insulin resistance and will be measured in serum
Waist circumference (inches)6 weeksCentral adiposity will be measured by tape measure to monitor possible weight loss
Cholesterol6 weeksTotal and HDL cholesterol will be measured in serum
Triglycerides6 weeksTriglycerides will be measured in serum
Glycated Hemoglobin (HbA1c)6 weeksGlycated hemoglobin will be measured in whole blood as an indicator of diabetic risk
Tumor necrosis factor (TNF-a)6 weeksTNF-a will be used as an inflammatory representative and will be measured in serum
Interleukin - 10 (IL-10)6 weeksIL-10 will will be used as an anti-inflammatory representative and will be measured in serum
Pulse Wave Velocity6 weeksArterial stiffness, a common measure for cardiac risk will be measured
Blood pressure6 weeksMeasured through a digital cuff, the focus will be on both systolic and diastolic
Peak Oxygen Consumption (VO2 peak)6 weeksVO2 peak will be measured by a Moxus metabolic cart to determine changes in fitness
C Reactive Protein (CRP)6 weeksCRP will will be used as an inflammatory representative and will be measured in serum
Leptin6 weeksLeptin will will be used as a body fat representative and will be measured in serum

Secondary

MeasureTime frameDescription
Physical Activity Enjoyment Scale (PACES)6 weeksAll participants will complete the physical activity enjoyment scale (PACES) to indicate enjoyment of HIIT. With a total of 18 questions, options 1 through 7 going from a positive to a negative overall experience with the HIIT protocol will be documented.

Countries

Canada

Outcome results

None listed

Source: ClinicalTrials.gov · Data processed: Feb 4, 2026