HIIT for Inflammatory Rheumatic Disease: Man vs Machine
HIIT for Inflammatory Rheumatic Disease: Man vs Machine
The purpose of this study is to compare two modes of delivering high-intensity interval
 training (HIIT) in a population with inflammatory rheumatic disease over 10 weeks. One group
 will recieved HIIT supervised by a healthcare professional, the other group will perform
 self-monitored HITT with guidance by a smarthpone application.
People with inflammatory rheumatic diseases (IRS) such as rheumatoid arthritis (RA),
 spondyloarthritis (SpA) and systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE) have been shown to have
 reduced cardiovascular fitness and quality of life than the general population.
 Cardiovascular health is the single most important factor of total mortality. It has been
 shown previously that individuals with IRS tolerate both endurance training, resulting in
 improvement in function and cardiovascular health while also having a positive effect on
 disease activity measured through inflammation, pain, joint health and fatigue. In recent
 years, studies have also been conducted that demonstrate both the safety and effect of
 aerobic 4x4min high-intensity interval training (HIIT) for patients with IRS.

 This study will involve an intervention period consisting of 20 HIIT sessions. Participants
 are randomized into one of two training groups. One group will perform HIIT under the
 supervision of a healthcare professional. The other group will perform the same HIIT training
 with identical instructions, however they will be self-monitored with the aid and guidance of
 a mobilephone application.

 The purpose of the intervention is to increase maximum oxygen uptake and improve quality of
 life. The intervention period will consist of 2 weekly sessions lasting approximately 35
 minutes performed on non-consecutive days. The endurance training will consist of 4 intervals
 of 4 minutes duration, separated by a 3-4 minute active break and follows the principle of
 intensive aerobic interval training. Before and after the training period, identical testing
 (approximately 30-40 min) will be performed by both intervention groups. The testing will
 include measurements of work economy and maximal oxygen uptake in an endurance test.
 Additionally, quality of life questionnaires will be obtained.
Inclusion Criteria:

 - Inflammatory rheumatic disease

 Exclusion Criteria:

 -  Inability to complete the testing procedures

 -  Pregancy

 -  Not able to perform exercise intervention

 -  Planed surgeries or other plans during initial exercise intervention period than
 directly will effect the testing or training.

 -  Access to a smartphone

 -  Less than 80% compliance of planned training sessions