PMID 36474875

Research
All papers

Metabolic and physiological effects of high intensity interval training in patients with knee osteoarthritis: A pilot and feasibility study

Smith-Ryan AE, Blue MNM, Anderson KC, Hirsch KR, Allen KD, Huebner JL, Muehlbauer MJ, Ilkayeva OR, Kraus VB, Kraus WE, Golightly YM, Huffman KM

Question

Is supervised cycling HIIT feasible and potentially beneficial for adults with symptomatic radiographic knee osteoarthritis?

Summary

In a small single-arm pilot study of adults with symptomatic knee osteoarthritis, twice-weekly supervised cycling HIIT for 6 weeks was feasible for completers, with high adherence and no reported adverse events. Fitness and WOMAC pain/function scores improved, but the lack of a control group means the study cannot prove that HIIT caused the changes.

Methodology

  • Adults aged 40 to 70 years with moderate-to-severe symptomatic radiographic knee osteoarthritis
  • 16 participants.
  • cycle.
  • Work intervals: 60 seconds.
  • Recovery: 60 seconds.
  • Intensity: 90% peak power output.
  • Not explicitly reported.
  • 2 sessions per week.
  • 6 weeks.
  • Single-arm pilot and feasibility study
  • Feasibility, Cardiorespiratory fitness, Knee symptoms, and Metabolic markers were tracked.

Outcomes

Adherence

Among compliant completers, adherence exceeded 96%.

Effect: >96%; Favours: intervention

Unclear

Safety

No adverse events were reported.

Effect: 0 adverse events; Favours: intervention

Unclear

VO2peak

Relative VO2peak improved after the program.

Effect: +2.6 +/- 3.0 mL/kg/min; Favours: intervention

Improved

WOMAC total

WOMAC total score improved after the program.

Effect: -8.7 +/- 12.5; Favours: intervention

Improved

Body composition

Body composition showed little change aside from a small left lower-extremity lean-mass signal.

Favours: no_difference

Improved

Insights

  • Cycling HIIT may be a feasible low-impact HIIT modality for some people with knee osteoarthritis when medically screened and supervised.
  • Access and equipment logistics can matter in knee osteoarthritis programs, including walking distance and bike mounting.
  • The protocol should be framed as feasibility evidence rather than proven efficacy.

Limitations

  • Single-arm uncontrolled pilot study.
  • Small sample.
  • Mostly female sample.
  • Peripheral metabolite measures do not directly reflect skeletal muscle metabolism.
  • Needs larger randomized controlled trials.

Safety

  • No adverse events were reported.
  • One participant was withdrawn at baseline for very high blood pressure.
  • Participants reported practical concerns including walking to the lab, mounting and dismounting the bike, exercise intensity, pain, and time.