Abstract
Background: Parkinson’s disease (PD) is a neurodegenerative disease that affects about 1 million people in the United States, impacting both motor and nonmotor functions. While many treatment options exist, exercise can improve both symptom types and should be part of a multifaceted treatment plan.
Purpose: This study compares the impacts of high-intensity interval training (HIIT) and high velocity circuit training (HVCT) on heart rate variability (HRV), gait, and functional performance in PD patients.
Methods: Fifteen PD patients (Hoehn and Yahr ≤2; 69.87 ± 5.63 y) participated in the 8-week study. Assessments included anthropometrics, HRV analysis, 6-minute walk test (6MWT), 10-meter walk test (10MWT), the five-times sit-to-stand test, and heart rate recovery (HRR). Leg/chest press strength and power were determined, and gait was assessed through spatiotemporal parameters and gait asymmetries. ANOVAs were performed for all outcome measures. Significant main effects or interactions were examined using Tukey’s post hoc analyses. ANCOVAs were also performed if a significant difference was detected at baseline. A paired samples t-test was performed following an ANCOVA analysis to determine significance. Significance, p ≤ .05.
Results: Both groups showed improvements in chest press power at 50% (p=.009), 60% (p=.048), leg press at 60% (p=.045), habitual gait speed during the 10MWT (p=.049) and swing time (less affected side: p=.038; more affected side: p=.015) at maximal speed. The HIIT group alone observed additional benefits, seen by a decrease in double limb support time (p=.021), step time on the less affected side (p=.029), stance time of the more affected side (p=.040) at habitual walking speeds, and a significant increase in chest press 1RM (p=.047).
Conclusion: Eight weeks of twice-weekly HIIT or HVCT improved habitual gait speed, power, and swing time in PD patients. HIIT showed additional benefits in chest press 1RM, double limb support time, step time on the less affected side, and stance time on the more affected side at habitual walking speeds.