Effects of Moderate-Intensity Cyclic Normobaric Hypoxic Training on Cardiovascular Disease Risk Factors of Patients Recovered from COVID-19: The AEROBICOVID Randomized Controlled Trial.

Abstract

Brazo-Sayavera, Javier, Alba Camacho-Cardenosa, Talita Morais Fernandes, Jamille Guedes Malta Argolo, Ana Paula Morais Fernandes, Carlos Arterio Sorgi, Elisângela Aparecida da Silva Lizzi, and Átila Alexandre Trapé. Effects of moderate-intensity cyclic normobaric hypoxic training on cardiovascular disease risk factors of patients recovered from COVID-19: The AEROBICOVID randomized controlled trial. High Alt Med Biol. 00:00-00, 2025. Objectives: The aim was to analyze the effects of a training program under hypoxic conditions compared with a control and normoxia training program on cardiovascular disease risk factors in patients recovered from COVID-19. Methods: A total of 67 patients were randomly assigned to the control group, training and recovery with hypoxia (T_H:R_H), training in normoxia (T_N) and recovery with hypoxia (R_H), and T_N and recovery in normoxia (R_N). Anthropometric, body composition, respiratory, and cardiometabolic risk factors were analyzed before and after intervention. Results: All intervention groups had positive effects on various health outcomes in patients recovered from COVID-19. The reduction in waist, hip, and waist/hip ratio, glycaemia, total cholesterol, and low-density lipoprotein-cholesterol indicates improvements in cardiovascular health. The increase in the forced expiratory volume in 1 second suggests improvements in respiratory health. In addition, the decrease in cardiovascular disease risk score indicates a reduction in overall cardiovascular disease risk. Conclusions: The study provides evidence to support the clinical benefits of moderate-intensity intermittent hypoxic training as a part of the treatment of patients recovered from COVID-19. It may also provide evidence on the efficacy and safety of intermittent hypoxic training in different health conditions. The study was registered at the Brazilian Clinical Trials Registry (RBR-5d7hkv).