HIGH-INTENSITY INTERVAL TRAINING IN POST-STROKE REHABILITATION: IMPLICATIONS FOR HEALTH, WELL-BEING, AND FUNCTIONAL RECOVERY

Abstract

High-Intensity Interval Training (HIIT) has emerged as a promising, time-efficient intervention in post-stroke rehabilitation, addressing the persistent impairments in mobility, cardiovascular fitness, and overall functional capacity commonly seen in stroke survivors. Research from randomized controlled trials and systematic reviews indicates that HIIT is generally safe and feasible for selected individuals post stroke, yielding significant improvements in cardiorespiratory fitness—especially peak oxygen uptake and ventilatory threshold—as well as enhanced gait speed, walking endurance, balance, and functional ambulation. Compared to traditional moderate-intensity continuous training, HIIT may offer superior physiological benefits within shorter durations. Moreover, emerging studies suggest HIIT may promote neuroplasticity and motor learning, although the evidence remains inconsistent due to variations in training protocols, participant profiles, and measured outcomes. While the current data support HIIT’s efficacy, there is a pressing need for larger, high-quality trials to determine optimal dosage, clarify underlying neurobiological mechanisms, and assess long-term effects across different stroke recovery stages. Until such data are available, personalized HIIT prescriptions, guided by individual capacity and supervised by skilled professionals, remain essential for maximizing safety and effectiveness in clinical practice. HIIT represents an innovative, evidence-based approach to improve both physical performance and neurological outcomes in stroke rehabilitation.