The worldwide population’s incidence of chronic diseases is increasing. A mix of genetic, environmental, and lifestyle factors frequently impact chronic illnesses. Chronic disease patients have an influence on healthcare practitioners and systems all around the world. Physical ability deteriorates, the risk of cardiometabolic illness is increased, life expectancy is reduced, and health-related quality of life declines. Â
Because exercise is so essential in managing chronic illnesses, researchers are looking for new ways to make it more efficient. In terms of improving cardiovascular health, skeletal muscle metabolism, and general exercise capacity, high-intensity interval training (HIIT) is unrivaled. Concerns about safety and adherence, particularly among those with mobility constraints or discomfort, have inspired research into alternate HIIT settings. Â
AHIIT (aquatic high-intensity interval training) is a viable option. Individuals with mobility limitations or discomfort may benefit from water immersion due to variables such as reduced joint stress and increased buoyancy. The buoyancy effect, which makes movement easier than it would be on land, may motivate more people to stick to their fitness routines.
AHIIT is a safe and effective alternative to traditional training that may be particularly beneficial for persons who are unable to exercise well on land. Despite the clear physiological advantages of AHIIT, research on its maximal intensity in comparison to land-based exercise has yet to be conclusive.
The effects of hydrostatic pressure and water temperature on cardiac preload, stroke volume, and cardiac output, three indicators of how effectively your heart performs, are substantial. Despite minor impairments in cardiovascular and metabolic responses, AHIIT has been shown to be helpful in increasing exercise capacity in a variety of groups, including those with chronic conditions. Â
A recent systematic review and meta-analysis compared the benefits of AHIIT on exercise capacity in chronic illness patients to those of aquatic moderate-intensity continuous training (AMICT), land-based HIIT (LBHIIT), and non-exercising control groups.
These findings imply that, in addition to LBHIIT, AHIIT may be a valuable kind of HIIT for people living with chronic illnesses. Furthermore, as compared to LBHIIT, AHIIT was linked with a reduced frequency of adverse effects, indicating that this kind of training may be safer in an aquatic setting. Â
The study included patients with illnesses affecting their musculoskeletal, respiratory, cardiovascular, metabolic, and neurological systems. The findings showed that AHIIT boosted exercise capacity for everyone, regardless of prior ailments or physical limitations. As an alternative to traditional land-based exercise, AHIIT has been demonstrated to be beneficial for patients with chronic conditions. Â
Finally, AHIIT emerges as a potential strategy for managing chronic diseases, offering safe and effective alternatives to people who struggle with more traditional kinds of training. More study is needed to fully understand the potential of AHIIT and its advantages for some populations of people with chronic illnesses. As the worldwide burden of chronic illnesses rises, access to adequate and user-friendly exercise therapy becomes increasingly essential. Â
Journal Reference Â
Bunæs-Næss, H., Kvæl, L. A. H., Nilsson, B. B., Heywood, S., & Heiberg, K. E. (2023). Aquatic high-intensity interval training (HIIT) may be similarly effective to land-based HIIT in improving exercise capacity in people with chronic conditions: a systematic review and meta-analysis. Retrieved from https://bmjopensem.bmj.com/content/9/4/e001639Â
