Joffrey Drigny , Vincent Gremeaux, Olivier Dupuy , Mathieu Gayda, Louis Bherer , Martin Juneau, Anil Nigam
Cardiovascular Prevention and Rehabilitation Centre (ÉPIC), Montreal Heart Institute, Montreal, Canada. E-mail: j.drigny@gmail.com
DOI: 10.2340/16501977-1905

Objective: To assess the effect of a 4-month high-intensity interval training programme on cognitive functioning, cerebral oxygenation, central haemodynamic and cardiometabolic parameters and aerobic capacity in obese patients.
Methods: Cognitive functioning, cerebral oxygenation, central haemodynamic, cardiometabolic and exercise para-meters were measured before and after a 4-month high-intensity interval training programme in 6 obese patients (mean age 49 years (standard deviation 8), fat mass percentage 31 ± 7%).
Results: Body composition (body mass, total and trunk fat mass, waist circumference) and fasting insulin were improved after the programme (p < 0. 05). V.  O2 and power output at ventilatory threshold and peak power output were improved after the programme (p < 0. 05). Cognitive functioning, including short-term and verbal memory, attention and processing speed, was significantly improved after training (p < 0. 05). Cerebral oxygen extraction was also improved after training (p < 0. 05).
Conclusion: These preliminary results indicate that a 4-month high-intensity interval training programme in obese patients improved both cognitive functioning and cere-bral oxygen extraction, in association with improved exercise capacity and body composition.