Practical Guide about PAD

↪ Canadian Foundation for Vascular Health 18 7.4. HIIT: a promising future In recent years, high-intensity interval training (HIIT) has become popular because it is effective and saves time. HIIT is characterizedby exercise intervals at higher intensity, whichmay last fromseveral seconds to several minutes. Intensity is themost important determinant for improvement in cardiopulmonary health 9 . These intense exercise intervals are separated by periods of active or passive rest. Overall, HIIT makes it possible to spend longer at a high intensity and reduces the unpleasant effects of exercise (e.g., shortness of breath). As a result, HIITproduces similar, if not superior, benefits toongoing low-intensity training. There are very few studies of HIIT and PAD 1,17 . Researchers have evaluated its impact on a rehabilitation score characterizing the difficulty of exercising on a treadmill (speed and slope). Following HIIT consisting of 6 minutes of maximum intensity followed by 3 minutes of rest, they demonstrated a significant improvement in the score and patient quality of life 1 . Other researchers have also studied HIIT in PAD patients. Participants had to perform 30-minute sessions twice daily at a gradually increasing intensity, with an increase in speed in week 1 and an increase in slope in week 2. Each session contained a succession of five 6-minute cycles. Each cycle consisted of 3 minutes of active work followed by 3 minutes of active recovery. This training was associated daily withmuscle exercises and general gymnastic exercises. In the study, all patients had increased their walking distance, which rose on average from 610 meters at the start of the program to 1,252 meters. All reported being motivated by the type of rehabilitation program offered and no adverse effects were noted 17 . Another study evaluated the effect of cycling in PAD patients. Patients had to alternate 4-minute intervals of intense pedaling with 3 minutes of rest. Over the 12 weeks of exercise, the intensity was gradually increased. This HIIT program resulted in improved walking distance, increased daily activities and increased cardiopulmonary condition. 7.5. Summary Therefore, it is clear that exercise should be part of treating PAD, in patients with and without endovascular or surgical treatment. It is the only treatment which reduces cardiovascular mortality and improves most risk factors. Despite the results with cycling or armexercises, walking exercise has the most benefits. However, there is increasing evidence that resistance training, cycling or HIIT also improve both quality and length of life. More studies should be conducted on this subject. However, there are some contraindications to intense exercise. Therefore, you should talk to your doctor before increasing the intensity of your exercise sessions. So far, the literature has shown that, in order for exercise to be as effective as possible, it should be: supervised by a kinesiologist, last 30-60 minutes, and be done 3-5 times a week. Walking should be combined with specific bodybuilding. Cycling, use of the arms or HIIT can also be added. If no kinesiologist can be present, you can walk daily. It is important that PAD patients continue walking when pain starts until maximum pain because this greatly increases the effectiveness of the exercise.