High-intensity interval training combined with resistance training improved apnea-hypopnea index but did not modify oxygen desaturation index and oxygen saturation nadir in obese children with obstructive sleep apnea

• Main Authors: Khomkrip Longlalerng, Nuntigar Sonsuwan, Sureeporn Uthaikhup, Suchart Kietwatanachareon, Warunee Kamsaiyai, Duanpen Panyasak, Sainatee Pratanaphon
• Format: Journal
• Published: 2019
• Subjects: Medicine
• Online Access: https://www.scopus.com/inward/record.uri?partnerID=HzOxMe3b&scp=85069479474&origin=inward; http://cmuir.cmu.ac.th/jspui/handle/6653943832/65793
• Institution: Chiang Mai University

© 2019, Springer Nature Switzerland AG. Purpose: To investigate the effect of high-intensity interval training (HIIT) combined with resistance training (RT) on sleep indices and vascular functions in obese children with obstructive sleep apnea (OSA). Methods: A quasi-experimental study. Forty-four obese children with OSA were allocated into either an exercise intervention (n = 22) or a usual care control group (n = 22). The exercise group received 24 min of HIIT (> 60% heart rate reserved) and 20 min of RT (50–80% one-repetition maximum), three times per week for 8 weeks. Primary outcomes included the apnea-hypopnea index (AHI), oxygen desaturation index (ODI), and oxygen saturation (SaO2) nadir. Secondary outcomes included the Sleep-Related Breathing Disorder-Pediatric Sleep Questionnaire (SRBD-PSQ) scores, vascular functions (flow-mediated dilation and mean blood flow velocity), and anthropometric variables. Outcomes were measured at baseline, at week 8, and at week 16. Results: No baseline differences were observed between groups. The compliance rate of exercise training was 99.47%. The AHI significantly decreased in the exercise group compared with the control group at week 16 (median AHI 1.30 to 0.60 and 1.00 to 1.60 episode/h, p = 0.01), but not at week 8. There were no differences between the groups in regard to the ODI and SaO2 nadir and any secondary outcomes at weeks 8 and 16 (all p > 0.05). Conclusions: The eight-week HIIT combined with RT decreased AHI in obese children with OSA at week 16 follow-up. No changes in the ODI, SaO2 nadir, SRBD-PSQ, vascular function, and anthropometric outcomes were revealed at any time point. Further research is warranted.