Evaluation of the effect of high-intensity interval training on macular microcirculation via swept-source optical coherence tomography angiography in young football players
Question
Does six weeks of running HIIT alter macular microcirculation measured by swept-source OCT angiography in young football players?
Summary
This small before-after study in young male football players found that six weeks of supervised running HIIT changed central macular vessel-density measures, lowered pulse and intraocular pressure, and did not change several other ocular measures. It did not report adverse events.
Methodology
- Healthy young male football players
- 15 participants.
- Running and walking.
- Work intervals: 90 seconds running.
- Recovery: 90 seconds walking plus passive rests between sequences.
- Intensity: 90% HRmax.
- Approximately 40 minutes; article wording unclear.
- 3 sessions/week.
- 6 weeks.
- Prospective before-after study
- Macular vessel density, Intraocular pressure, Pulse and BP, and Ocular thickness were tracked.
Outcomes
Vessel density
Central deep and choriocapillaris vessel-density measures increased.
VDd central 18.7 to 21.1, p=0.002; VDcc central 54.5 to 56.9, p=0.002.
IOP/pulse
Pulse and intraocular pressure decreased.
Pulse p=0.003; IOP p=0.017.
Other ocular
Mean superficial vessel density, FAZ, CMT, and SFCT did not significantly change.
Blood pressure
SBP, DBP, and oxygen saturation did not significantly change.
Insights
- The 90s run/90s walk format is reproducible but was tested in young athletes.
- Ocular microcirculation findings should remain mechanistic, not consumer health claims.
Limitations
- Small sample.
- No control group.
- All-male young football players.
- No visual-function tests.
- Adverse events not reported.
Safety
- Adverse events were not reported.
- Participants were screened to exclude cardiovascular disease, hypertension, ocular disease, medication use, smoking, and alcohol use.
- Training was supervised by a coach with continuous heart-rate monitoring; one eligible participant dropped out because he did not attend the post-HIIT eye exam.