Arch Rehabil Res Clin Transl 2026 Jun 15;82:100599. doi: 10.1016/j.arrct.2026.100599.

Feasibility and Tolerance of High-Intensity Interval Training in Adults With Cystic Fibrosis.

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OBJECTIVES: To assess the feasibility and the tolerance of a high-intensity interval training (HIIT) program compared with conventional rehabilitation during a 3-week hospital stay in adults with cystic fibrosis (CF) and to analyze the effectiveness and impact on health indicators of HIIT. DESIGN: A prospective, 2-center, open-label, randomized, controlled study. SETTING: Cystic Fibrosis Resource and Expert Centers, Roscoff and Giens (France). PARTICIPANTS: A total of 62 adults (aged: 36.1±11y; M/F ratio: 1.3) with CF were included. INTERVENTIONS: Intervention group performed 3 HIIT sessions, alternating 30 seconds of work and 30 seconds of rest repeated 6 times ≥80% of maximum heart rate, and 2 low-intensity sessions per week. Control group (conventional rehabilitation) performed 5, 20-to-30-minute sessions per week at the first aerobic ventilatory threshold. MAIN OUTCOME MEASURES: (1) Feasibility was evaluated by compliance; (2) tolerance by the degree of dyspnea and adverse effects; (3) effect on physical capacity using the 6-minute walk, body composition, the forced expiratory volume in 1 second (FEV1), and the multidimensional dyspnea profile; (4) impact on health indicators by the Fibrosis Quality of Life Questionnaire and the Hospital Anxiety and Depression; and (5) participant satisfaction by the STARFISH (perception of physical activity) and the Physical Activity Enjoyment Scale. RESULTS: Compliance with exercise sessions was marginally higher but statistically significant in the HIIT (93.3%) than the control (86.7%) group, P=.032. However, tolerance was lower in those with severe respiratory impairment and those without cystic fibrosis transmembrane conductance regulator (CFTR) modulator therapy. Effectiveness on physical capacity (6-minute walk test, muscle strength, and FEV1) and quality of life was similar between the training methods. CONCLUSIONS: HIIT is feasible, safe, and well tolerated and could be used as a timesaving alternative to conventional treatment, particularly in people under CFTR modulator therapy.

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