Project R-16220

Supramaximal high-intensity interval training in persons with COPD: superior for cognitive health? (Research)

Next to being a pulmonary disease, chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) presents with multiple extra-pulmonary manifestations, including cognitive dysfunction. For example, the prevalence of cognitive dysfunction is more than 4-fold higher compared to persons without COPD. Regular exercise training promotes improvement of cognitive performance and has neuroprotective effects. Recently, a novel and promising concept of supramaximal high-intensity interval training (HIIT), consisting of 10×6 seconds of cycling intervals, has been developed which can delay the ventilatory limitation for a given amount of work in persons with COPD, allowing a 3-fold increase in exercise intensity compared to moderate intense continuous training (MICT). Supramaximal HITT is of particular interest for targeting cognition in COPD, as high exercise intensity has been linked to more pronounced acute and chronic cognitive adaptations in other populations. Yet, studies investigating the chronic effects of supramaximal HIIT in persons with COPD are lacking. Therefore, we will focus on the following research objectives (RO): RO1): To compare cognitive function, brain structure, and underlying mechanisms related to muscle-brain cross-talk and inflammation in persons with COPD and healthy persons. RO2) To determine the effects of supramaximal HIIT in comparison to traditional MICT on cognitive function, brain structure, muscle-brain cross-talk and inflammation in persons with COPD.

01 November 2025 - 31 October 2029