High-intensity interval training is feasible, credible and clinically effective in the early subacute stroke stage in the low-income country of Benin.

High-intensity interval training (HIIT) has been shown to benefit stroke patients when implemented three months post-stroke. This study examined HIIT's feasibility and clinical effectiveness in the early post-stroke stage in Benin. This was a prospective interventional study comprising an HIIT programme executed on a recumbent bike, three times/week, 20-30 min/session for 6 weeks, added to a conventional physiotherapy. The primary outcomes were feasibility, credibility and expectancy assessed with credibility and expectancy questionnaire. A maximal exercise test, 6-min walking test (6MWT), 10-m walking test (10mWT), Berg balance scale (BBS) and five repetitions sit-to-stand test (5 R-STS) were performed before and after the training programme. Ten outpatients, with a median age [P25-P75]: 63.5[56.7-71.2] years; time since stroke: 15.0[9.7-21.0] days, started and completed all training sessions without serious adverse events. High scores were observed on the Credibility subscale at admission (27.0[25.7-27.0]), which remained so after intervention (26.5[25.7-27.0]). Expectancy subscale scores were high at admission (25.5[24.0-27.0]) and post-training (25.5[24.5-27.0]). Peak workload (p < 0.001), BBS (p < 0.001), 6MWT (p < 0.001), 10mWT (p < 0.001) and 5 R-STS (p = 0.004) were all improved. HIIT is feasible and safe in the early subacute post-stroke stage and is perceived by patients as highly credible, meeting their expectations of recovery.

Preconception Physical Exercise Is Associated with Phenotype-Specific Cardiovascular Alterations in Women at Risk for Gestational Hypertensive Disorders.

Background/Objectives: Gestational hypertensive disorders (GHD) pose significant maternal and fetal health risks during pregnancy. Preconception physical exercise has been associated with a lower incidence of GHD, but insights into the cardiovascular mechanisms remain limited. This study aimed to evaluate the effect of preconception physical exercise on the complete cardiovascular functions of women at risk for GHD in a subsequent pregnancy. Methods: A non-invasive hemodynamics assessment of arteries, veins, and the heart was performed on 40 non-pregnant women at risk for developing GHD in a subsequent pregnancy. Measurements of an electrocardiogram Doppler ultrasound, impedance cardiography and bio-impedance spectrum analysis were taken before and after they engaged in physical exercise (30-50 min, 3×/week, 4-6 months). Results: After a mean physical exercise period of 29.80 weeks, the total peripheral resistance (TPR), diastolic blood pressure and mean arterial pressure decreased in the total study population, without changing cardiac output (CO). However, in 42% (9/21) of women categorized with high or low baseline CO (>P75 or

Clinical Significance of Exercise Pulmonary Hypertension With a Negative Diastolic Stress Test for Suspected Heart Failure With Preserved Ejection Fraction.

BACKGROUND: Half of patients with heart failure with preserved ejection fraction (HFpEF) remain undiagnosed by resting evaluation alone. Therefore, exercise testing is proposed. The diastolic stress test (DST), however, has limited sensitivity. We aimed to determine the clinical significance of adding the mean pulmonary artery pressure over cardiac output (mPAP/CO) slope to the DST in suspected HFpEF. METHODS AND RESULTS: In this prospective cohort study, consecutive patients (n=1936) with suspected HFpEF underwent exercise echocardiography with simultaneous respiratory gas analysis. These patients were stratified by exercise E over e' (exE/e') and mPAP/CO slope, and peak oxygen uptake, natriuretic peptides (NT-proBNP [N-terminal pro-B-type natriuretic peptide]), and score-based HFpEF likelihood were compared. Twenty-two percent of patients (n=428) had exE/e'<15 despite a mPAP/CO slope>3 mm Hg/L per min, 24% (n=464) had a positive DST (exE/e'≥15), and 54% (n=1044) had a normal DST and slope. Percentage of predicted oxygen uptake was similar in the group with exE/e'<15 but high mPAP/CO slope and the positive DST group (-2% [-5% to +1%]), yet worse than in those with normal DST and slope (-12% [-14% to -9%]). Patients with exE/e'<15 but a high slope had NT-proBNP levels and H2FPEF (heavy, hypertensive, atrial fibrillation, pulmonary hypertension, elder; filling pressure) scores intermediate to the positive DST group and the group with both a normal DST and slope. CONCLUSIONS: Twenty-two percent of patients with suspected HFpEF presented with a mPAP/CO slope>3 mm Hg/L per min despite a negative DST. These patients had HFpEF characteristics and a peak oxygen uptake as low as patients with a positive DST. Therefore, an elevated mPAP/CO slope might indicate HFpEF irrespective of the DST result.

Prevention and Rehabilitation After Heart Transplantation: A Clinical Consensus Statement of the European Association of Preventive Cardiology, Heart Failure Association of the ESC, and the European Cardio Thoracic Transplant Association, a Section of ESOT.

Little is known either about either physical activity patterns, or other lifestyle-related prevention measures in heart transplantation (HTx) recipients. The history of HTx started more than 50 years ago but there are still no guidelines or position papers highlighting the features of prevention and rehabilitation after HTx. The aims of this scientific statement are (i) to explain the importance of prevention and rehabilitation after HTx, and (ii) to promote the factors (modifiable/non-modifiable) that should be addressed after HTx to improve patients' physical capacity, quality of life and survival. All HTx team members have their role to play in the care of these patients and multidisciplinary prevention and rehabilitation programmes designed for transplant recipients. HTx recipients are clearly not healthy disease-free subjects yet they also significantly differ from heart failure patients or those who are supported with mechanical circulatory support. Therefore, prevention and rehabilitation after HTx both need to be specifically tailored to this patient population and be multidisciplinary in nature. Prevention and rehabilitation programmes should be initiated early after HTx and continued during the entire post-transplant journey. This clinical consensus statement focuses on the importance and the characteristics of prevention and rehabilitation designed for HTx recipients.

Prevention and rehabilitation after heart transplantation: A clinical consensus statement of the European Association of Preventive Cardiology, Heart Failure Association of the ESC, and the European Cardio Thoracic Transplant Association, a section of ESOT.

Little is known either about either physical activity patterns, or other lifestyle-related prevention measures in heart transplantation (HTx) recipients. The history of HTx started more than 50 years ago but there are still no guidelines or position papers highlighting the features of prevention and rehabilitation after HTx. The aims of this scientific statement are (i) to explain the importance of prevention and rehabilitation after HTx, and (ii) to promote the factors (modifiable/non-modifiable) that should be addressed after HTx to improve patients' physical capacity, quality of life and survival. All HTx team members have their role to play in the care of these patients and multidisciplinary prevention and rehabilitation programmes designed for transplant recipients. HTx recipients are clearly not healthy disease-free subjects yet they also significantly differ from heart failure patients or those who are supported with mechanical circulatory support. Therefore, prevention and rehabilitation after HTx both need to be specifically tailored to this patient population and be multidisciplinary in nature. Prevention and rehabilitation programmes should be initiated early after HTx and continued during the entire post-transplant journey. This clinical consensus statement focuses on the importance and the characteristics of prevention and rehabilitation designed for HTx recipients.

Prevention and rehabilitation after heart transplantation: A clinical consensus statement of the European Association of Preventive Cardiology, Heart Failure Association of the ESC, and the European Cardio Thoracic Transplant Association, a section of ESOT.

Little is known either about either physical activity patterns, or other lifestyle-related prevention measures in heart transplantation (HTx) recipients. The history of HTx started more than 50 years ago but there are still no guidelines or position papers highlighting the features of prevention and rehabilitation after HTx. The aims of this scientific statement are (i) to explain the importance of prevention and rehabilitation after HTx, and (ii) to promote the factors (modifiable/non-modifiable) that should be addressed after HTx to improve patients' physical capacity, quality of life and survival. All HTx team members have their role to play in the care of these patients and multidisciplinary prevention and rehabilitation programmes designed for transplant recipients. HTx recipients are clearly not healthy disease-free subjects yet they also significantly differ from heart failure patients or those who are supported with mechanical circulatory support. Therefore, prevention and rehabilitation after HTx both need to be specifically tailored to this patient population and be multidisciplinary in nature. Prevention and rehabilitation programmes should be initiated early after HTx and continued during the entire post-transplant journey. This clinical consensus.

Accurate Prediction Equations for Ventilatory Thresholds in Cardiometabolic Disease When Gas Exchange Analysis is Unavailable: Development and Validation.

AIMS: To develop and validate equations predicting heart rate (HR) at the first and second ventilatory thresholds (VTs) and an optimized range-adjusted prescription for patients with cardiometabolic disease (CMD). To compare their performance against guideline-based exercise intensity domains. METHODS: Cross-sectional study involving 2,868 CMD patients from nine countries. HR predictive equations for first and second VTs (VT1, VT2) were developed using multivariate linear regression with 975 cycle-ergometer cardiopulmonary exercise tests (CPET). 'Adjusted' percentages of peak HR (%HRpeak) and HR reserve (%HRR) were derived from this group. External validation with 1,893 CPET (cycle-ergometer or treadmill) assessed accuracy, agreement, and reliability against guideline-based %HRpeak and %HRR prescriptions using mean absolute percentage error (MAPE), Bland-Altman analyses, intraclass correlation coefficients (ICC). RESULTS: HR predictive equations (R²: 0.77 VT1, 0.88 VT2) and adjusted %HRR (VT1: 42%, VT2: 77%) were developed. External validation demonstrated superiority over widely used guideline-directed intensity domains for %HRpeak and %HRR. The new methods showed consistent performance across both VTs with lower MAPE (VT1: 7.1%, VT2: 5.0%), 'good' ICC for VT1 (0.81, 0.82) and 'excellent' for VT2 (0.93). Guideline-based exercise intensity domains had higher MAPE (VT1: 6.8%-21.3%, VT2: 5.1%-16.7%), 'poor' to 'good' ICC for VT1, and 'poor' to 'excellent' for VT2, indicating inconsistencies related to specific VTs across guidelines. CONCLUSION: Developed and validated HR predictive equations and the optimized %HRR for CMD patients for determining VT1 and VT2 outperformed the guideline-based exercise intensity domains and showed ergometer interchangeability. They offer a superior alternative for prescribing moderate intensity exercise when CPET is unavailable.

Equations to predict heart rate at ventilatory thresholds were developed and externally validated, offering a new perspective when a cardiopulmonary exercise test is unavailable to accurately determine the aerobic exercise intensity domains. Additionally, an adjusted range for exercise intensity prescription based on the percentage of heart rate reserve (%HRR) was provided, utilizing a large sample from eight countries. The proposed equations and the range-adjusted %HRR significantly outperformed the guideline-directed methods for determining exercise intensity, exhibiting higher accuracy, agreement, and reliability. Exercise intensity prescription based on the percentage of heart rate peak showed higher errors, raising concerns about its clinical applicability. Our study may enhance the efficacy of exercise training and physical activity advice when gas exchange analysis is unavailable, potentially leading to improved clinical outcomes, even in low-resource settings. Employing these approaches in research could facilitate more tailored and consistent interventions, introducing a contemporary perspective for studies comparing exercise intensity prescriptions.

Moderate-Intensity and High-Intensity Interval Exercise Training Offer Equal Cardioprotection, with Different Mechanisms, during the Development of Type 2 Diabetes in Rats.

Endurance exercise training is a promising cardioprotective strategy in type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM), but the impact of its intensity is not clear. We aimed to investigate whether and how isocaloric moderate-intensity exercise training (MIT) and high-intensity interval exercise training (HIIT) could prevent the adverse cardiac remodeling and dysfunction that develop T2DM in rats. Male rats received a Western diet (WD) to induce T2DM and underwent a sedentary lifestyle (n = 7), MIT (n = 7) or HIIT (n = 8). Insulin resistance was defined as the HOMA-IR value. Cardiac function was assessed with left ventricular (LV) echocardiography and invasive hemodynamics. A qPCR and histology of LV tissue unraveled underlying mechanisms. We found that MIT and HIIT halted T2DM development compared to in sedentary WD rats (p < 0.05). Both interventions prevented increases in LV end-systolic pressure, wall thickness and interstitial collagen content (p < 0.05). In LV tissue, HIIT tended to upregulate the gene expression of an ROS-generating enzyme (NOX4), while both modalities increased proinflammatory macrophage markers and cytokines (CD86, TNF-α, IL-1ß; p < 0.05). HIIT promoted antioxidant and dicarbonyl defense systems (SOD2, glyoxalase 1; p < 0.05) whereas MIT elevated anti-inflammatory macrophage marker expression (CD206, CD163; p < 0.01). We conclude that both MIT and HIIT limit WD-induced T2DM with diastolic dysfunction and pathological LV hypertrophy, possibly using different adaptive mechanisms.

Cardiovascular disease as part of Long COVID: A systematic review.

BACKGROUND: Long COVID syndrome has had a major impact on million patients' lives worldwide. The cardiovascular system is an important aspect of this multifaceted disease that may manifest in many ways. We have hereby performed a narrative review in order to identify the extent of the cardiovascular manifestations of the Long COVID syndrome. METHODS AND RESULTS: An in-depth systematic search of the literature has been conducted for this narrative review. The systematic search of PubMed and Cochrane databases yielded 3,993, of which 629 underwent full text screening. A total of 78 studies were included in the final qualitative synthesis and data evaluation. The pathophysiology of the cardiovascular sequelae of Long COVID syndrome and the cardiac manifestations and complications of Long COVID syndrome are critically evaluated. In addition, potential cardiovascular risk factors are assessed, and preventive methods and treatment options are examined in this review. CONCLUSIONS: This systematic review poignantly summarises the evidence from the available literature regarding the cardiovascular manifestations of Long COVID syndrome and reviews potential mechanistic pathways, diagnostic approaches, preventive measures and treatment options.

Are exercise prescriptions for patients with cardiovascular disease, made by physiotherapists, in agreement with European recommendations?

AIMS: Physiotherapists often treat patients with (elevated risk for) cardiovascular disease (CVD), and should thus be able to provide evidence-based exercise advice to these patients. This study, therefore, aims to examine whether exercise prescriptions by physiotherapists to patients with CVD are in accordance with European recommendations. METHODS AND RESULTS: This prospective observational survey included forty-seven Belgian physiotherapists. The participants agreed to prescribe exercise intensity, frequency, session duration, program duration, and exercise type (endurance or strength training) for the same three patient cases. Exercise prescriptions were compared between physiotherapists and relations with their characteristics were studied. The agreement between physiotherapists' exercise prescriptions and those from European recommendations ('agreement score': based on a maximal score of 60/per case) was assessed. A wide inter-clinician variability was noticed for all exercise modalities, leading to a large variance for total peak-effort training minutes (from 461 up to 9000 over the three cases). The exercise frequency was prescribed fully out of range of the recommendations and the prescription of additional exercise modes was generally flawed. Exercise intensity and program duration were prescribed partially correct. The addition of strength exercises and session duration was prescribed correctly. This led to physiotherapist agreement scores of 25.3 ± 9.6, 23.2 ± 9.9, and 27.1 ± 10.6 (all out of 60), for cases one, two, and three, respectively. A greater agreement score was found in younger colleagues and those holding a Ph.D. CONCLUSION: Exercise prescriptions for CVD patients vary widely among physiotherapists and often disagree with European recommendations. REGISTRATION: ClinicalTrials.gov NCT05449652.

What motivates heart transplantation patients to exercise and engage in physical activity? A network analysis.

AIMS: After heart transplantation (HTx), increments in physical activity (PA) are strongly recommended. However, participation rates in exercise-based cardiac rehabilitation and engagement in PA are insufficient in many patients. Hence, this study aimed to explore the central factors and the interconnections among distinct types of motivation to exercise, PA, sedentary time, psychosomatic, diet, and activity limitation characteristics in post-HTx patients. METHODS AND RESULTS: This is a cross-sectional study involving 133 post-HTx patients (79 men, mean age 57 ± 13 years, mean time from transplantation 55 ± 42 months) recruited from an outpatient clinic in Spain. The patients were asked to fill in questionnaires measuring self-reported PA, motivation to exercise, kinesiophobia, musculoskeletal pain, quality of sleep, depression, functional capacity, frailty, sarcopenia risk, and diet quality. Two network structures were estimated: one network including PA and one network including sedentary time as nodes. The relative importance of each node in the network structures was determined using centrality analyses. According to the strength centrality index, functional capacity and identified regulation (subtypes of motivation to exercise) are the two most central nodes of the network (strength: z-score = 1.35-1.51). Strong and direct connections emerged between frailty and PA and between sarcopenia risk and sedentary time. CONCLUSION: Functional capacity and autonomous motivation to exercise are the most promising targets of interventions to improve PA levels and sedentary time in post-HTx patients. Furthermore, frailty and sarcopenia risk were found to mediate the effects of several other factors on PA and sedentary time.

Promoting physical activity and a healthy active lifestyle in community-dwelling older adults: a design thinking approach for the development of a mobile health application.

Background: Physical activity (PA) has wide-ranging, and well documented benefits for older adults, encompassing physical, cognitive, and mental well-being. The World Health Organization advocates for a minimum of 150-300 min of moderate intensity PA per week, supplemented by muscle-strengthening exercises. However, the rates of PA among older adults remain a concern. While portable technologies hold promises in promoting PA, sustaining long-term engagement continues to be a challenge. Objective: The aims of this study are to identify barriers and facilitators to PA in older adults, to develop an mHealth app promoting PA and an active healthy lifestyle in collaboration with community-dwelling older adults guided by the design thinking process, and to test it. Methods: A co-creative process was used, employing design thinking. Interviews were conducted to understand the needs of the target population and identify the problem of insufficient PA. Two cocreation sessions involving older adults and experts were conducted to generate innovative ideas. Participants were selected based on age (≥65 years), no severe illness, Dutch language proficiency, and active participation ability. Results were qualitatively analyzed and coded. Finally a prototype was developed and tested. Results: Interviews with older adults highlighted diverse perceptions of PA but unanimous agreement on its importance. They recognized health benefits such as improved mobility, balance, and reduced fall risk, while emphasizing the social and mental aspects. Barriers included poor health, time constraints, weather conditions and fear of falling. Cocreation sessions identified key topics: perception of a healthy lifestyle, coping strategies, mHealth App features, screen visualization, and tailored notifications, which led to the development of a mobile app promoting PA and an active lifestyle. The app was stepwise prototyped. Conclusion: This study emphasizes the importance of promoting PA among older adults through a collaborative design thinking approach. However, the implementation of mHealth apps faces obstacles due to the digital divide, necessitating personalized solutions to bridge the gap. Moreover, it calls for further research to investigate the long-term impact of such interventions and explore behavior change patterns in this population.

Physiotherapy practices in acute and sub-acute stroke in a low resource country: A prospective observational study in Benin.

BACKGROUND AND OBJECTIVE: Physiotherapy is highly recommended for early recovery from stroke. This study aimed to document physiotherapy practices for people with acute and early sub-acute stroke in Benin. METHODS: In this prospective observational study, physiotherapists working with acute stroke people documented the content of their treatment from six hospitals in Benin during the first session, at 2-week, and 1-month post-stroke with a standardized physiotherapy documentation form. We used the motricity index (MI) and trunk control test (TCT) to assess impairments, and the 10-meter walk test (10mWT), functional independence measure (FIM), walking, stair climbing, and dressing upper body subscales were used for activity limitations. RESULTS: Fifteen physiotherapists (60 % male, mean±SD age=31.3±5.8 years) recorded treatment sessions for 77 stroke participants (53.2 % male, mean±SD age=57.7±12.5 years). Physiotherapists focused on conventional physiotherapy approaches, including musculoskeletal (67 % of pre-functional activity time) and neuromuscular (53 % of sitting activity time) interventions. A significant difference was found between the therapy time delivered for people with mild, moderate, and severe stroke (p < 0.001). The MI (p= 0.033) and TCT (p= 0.002) measures showed significant improvement at 2-week and 1-month (p< 0.001) post-stroke, while 10mWT, FIM walking, stair climbing, and dressing upper body items significantly increased at 1-month (p< 0.001) but not at 2-week post-stroke. CONCLUSION: Physiotherapists working with acute stroke patients in Benin mainly use conventional neuromuscular and musculoskeletal interventions. In contrast, aerobic exercises were rarely employed regardless of stroke severity. Furthermore, our findings showed that the volume of physiotherapy sessions varied by stroke severity.

Moderate- and High-Intensity Endurance Training Alleviate Diabetes-Induced Cardiac Dysfunction in Rats.

Exercise training is an encouraging approach to treat cardiac dysfunction in type 2 diabetes (T2DM), but the impact of its intensity is not understood. We aim to investigate whether and, if so, how moderate-intensity training (MIT) and high-intensity interval training (HIIT) alleviate adverse cardiac remodeling and dysfunction in rats with T2DM. Male rats received standard chow (n = 10) or Western diet (WD) to induce T2DM. Hereafter, WD rats were subjected to a 12-week sedentary lifestyle (n = 8), running MIT (n = 7) or HIIT (n = 7). Insulin resistance and glucose tolerance were assessed during the oral glucose tolerance test. Plasma advanced glycation end-products (AGEs) were evaluated. Echocardiography and hemodynamic measurements evaluated cardiac function. Underlying cardiac mechanisms were investigated by histology, western blot and colorimetry. We found that MIT and HIIT lowered insulin resistance and blood glucose levels compared to sedentary WD rats. MIT decreased harmful plasma AGE levels. In the heart, MIT and HIIT lowered end-diastolic pressure, left ventricular wall thickness and interstitial collagen deposition. Cardiac citrate synthase activity, mitochondrial oxidative capacity marker, raised after both exercise training modalities. We conclude that MIT and HIIT are effective in alleviating diastolic dysfunction and pathological cardiac remodeling in T2DM, by lowering fibrosis and optimizing mitochondrial capacity.