Objective: To assess whether people with Parkinson’s disease (PD) are able to exercise at ≥85% of maximal heart rate during High Intensity Interval Training (HIIT) and does this improve their cardiorespiratory function. 

Background: Physical exercise is recommended for people with PD in UK and European guidelines. However, there is little consensus on the most appropriate exercise regimes. Few previous studies of exercise in PD have looked at the effect of exercise interventions on peak or maximal oxygen consumption. Therefore, there is limited evidence to inform exercise programme design.  .  The primary outcome measures were a heart rate of ≥85% of predicted maximum and cardiorespiratory fitness (VO₂max). 

Methods: A stepped wedged study design was used to assess the feasibility of HIIT within PD.  A total of 20 participants with Idiopathic Parkinson’s Disease (IPD) (Hoehn and Yahr stage 1-3) were randomly assigned to intervention group I or II. Both groups completed a VO2 max test at baseline which took place at North Tyneside General Hospital. The intervention start was then delayed for group II until group I had completed their intervention and both groups had been re-assessed. The Intervention took place at the Speedflex clinic, Newcastle-upon-Tyne, UK and involved participants performing three HIIT sessions per week for 12 weeks.  Each session consisted of four-minute periods of HIIT designed to elicit ≥85% max heart rate and this was repeated four– six times per session.

Results: Both groups achieved a heart rate of ≥85% of predicted maximum, with a significant increase across the intervention period (average 0.23% per week p=0.019).  Change in VO₂max was significant p = .041. 

Conclusions: Patients with PD can exercise at ≥85% of maximal predicted heart rate.  A 12-week HIIT programme, with a gradual increase in exercise intensity gave a significant improvement on mean peak heart rate and cardiorespiratory fitness.  

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MDS Abstracts - https://www.mdsabstracts.org/abstract/a-randomised-control-trial-to-investigate-if-people-with-parkinsons-disease-can-exercise-at-high-intensity-and-does-this-improve-their-cardiorespiratory-function-a-feasibility-study/