# Effects on Serum Protein Levels From One Bout of High Intensity Interval Training in Individuals With Axial Spondyloarthritis and Controls

PMID: 41392020
Journal: Immunity, Inflammation and Disease
Published: 2025 Dec 14
Authors: Andersson Å, Olsson MC, Torell A, Mogard E, Haglund E

## Question

How does one bout of HIIT affect serum inflammatory and bone-related protein levels in axial spondyloarthritis compared with healthy controls?

## Summary

In a small pilot study, 10 people with axial spondyloarthritis and 11 healthy controls completed one supervised cycling HIIT session. IL-6 and BMP-7 increased one hour after exercise, while most other inflammatory and bone-related markers did not change. The authors considered the session safe and feasible, but adverse events were not separately tabulated.

## Population

- Adults with axial spondyloarthritis and healthy controls.
- Sample size: 21
- Age: 40 +/- 7 years
- Sex: 10 female and 11 male overall
- Fitness level: Mostly physically active; VO2max about 40-43 ml/kg/min
- Health status: Stable low-activity axSpA or healthy controls

## Methodology

- Cross-sectional pilot acute exercise study with disease-control comparison
- Single acute HIIT bout with 1-hour post-exercise blood sampling
- Supervised laboratory cycling
- Controlled study design.

## Protocol

- Acute cycling HIIT.
- Modality: Cycle ergometry.
- Work intervals: 4 minutes.
- Recovery: 3 minutes active rest.
- Sets or repetitions: 4 intervals.
- Intensity: RPE >17 and 90% estimated HRmax.
- Session duration: About 25 minutes excluding setup.
- Frequency: Single session.
- Program length: One session.
- Progression: None.
- Healthy control same HIIT.
- Modality: Cycle ergometry.
- Work intervals: 4 minutes.
- Recovery: 3 minutes active rest.
- Sets or repetitions: 4 intervals.
- Intensity: RPE >17 and 90% estimated HRmax.
- Session duration: About 25 minutes excluding setup.
- Frequency: Single session.
- Program length: One session.
- Progression: None.

## Outcomes

### IL-6
Status: mixed
IL-6 increased overall, with significant post hoc increase in controls but not axSpA.

Main effect p=0.03; HC p=0.04; axSpA p=0.23

### BMP-7
Status: improved
BMP-7 increased after HIIT in both groups.

Main effect p<0.001; axSpA p=.004; HC p=.02

### Other markers
Status: no clear change
Most other measured inflammatory and bone markers did not change.

No significant changes reported for remaining markers including CRP

## Practical Insights

- Single-session biomarker responses should not be interpreted as long-term clinical benefit.
- For inflammatory clinical groups, screening criteria are a central part of the intervention context.
- Cycle HIIT gives controlled loading for populations where impact may matter.

## Limitations

- Small pilot sample.
- Acute-only design.
- Low disease activity and medication use limit generalizability.
- Safety was not reported with a detailed adverse-event table.

## Safety And Adherence

- Adverse events were not explicitly tabulated.
- The authors concluded the screened, supervised HIIT bout was safe and feasible.
- Participants with cardiovascular/lung disease, abnormal ECG, elevated blood pressure, diabetes, angina, dizziness, severe shortness of breath with exercise, medication changes, or pregnancy were excluded or referred.

## Original Sources

- [PubMed](https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/41392020/) (pubmed)
- [DOI](https://doi.org/10.1002/iid3.70305) (doi)
- [PMC full text](https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC12702689/) (full text)

## Agent Guidance

Preserve the paper-level scope of this note. Do not generalize beyond the population, protocol, measured outcomes, and limitations above.