Comparison of Continuous Aerobic Exercise and High-Intensity Interval Training Effects on ICF Assessments in Lung Transplant Candidates

What this Trial Is About

This research focuses on lung transplant candidates with interstitial lung disease (ILD), aiming to study the effects of two different exercise programs on their physical function and health status. The trial compares high-intensity interval training (HIIT) and moderate-intensity continuous training (MICT) to assess their impact on exercise capacity, body structure and function, and activity and participation levels. The study is designed as a randomized controlled trial to better understand rehabilitation options before lung transplantation. Participants will be randomly assigned to one of two exercise groups. The first group will perform HIIT involving 30-second high-intensity intervals at 85-100% of maximum workload alternated with 30 seconds at 40% workload, completing 20 such cycles with warm-up and cool-down periods. The second group will engage in continuous moderate-intensity exercise at 60-80% of maximum workload for 20 to 30 minutes. All exercise sessions will use an electronically calibrated ergometer cycle, and the training duration for both groups is planned for 8 weeks. Throughout the study, participants will undergo various assessments before and after the exercise program, including the 6-minute walk test to measure exercise capacity, pulmonary function tests, and evaluations of comorbidities, daily living activities, and quality of life. Additional measurements will assess muscle strength, frailty, respiratory muscle endurance, and psychological factors like fear of movement. Researchers will monitor these outcomes over roughly one year to understand how the exercise programs influence participants' health and readiness for lung transplantation.

Lung Transplant Candidates: Effects of Aerobic vs. HIIT Training on ICF Assessments