Researchers from the University of Otago have demonstrated that completing a brief program of high‑intensity interval training before undergoing surgery can meaningfully support recovery, a finding published in the journal Operation. The study delved into whether a preoperative HIIT regimen could prime the body for the stress of surgery, help preserve muscle function, and shorten the overall recovery timeline for patients facing major procedures.
To assess the potential benefits, the team aggregated data from 12 separate studies, encompassing a total of 832 individuals. Each participant followed a preoperative HIIT protocol that alternated between short bursts of intense aerobic effort and periods of lighter activity or active recovery. The goal was to push the cardiorespiratory system enough to mobilize adaptive responses without compromising safety in the weeks leading up to surgery.
During the sessions, participants typically exercised at roughly 80% of their maximum heart rate for age, a benchmark commonly calculated as 220 minus age. The average age across the participant group was 66, and the training periods spanned about four weeks, balancing intensity with practicality for people preparing for diverse surgical interventions.
Across the board, the results were encouraging. The researchers reported that HIIT prior to surgery reduced the risk of postoperative complications by about 56%. In practical terms, patients who engaged in the HIIT program tended to stay in the hospital roughly three days less than those who did not participate in this preoperative conditioning. These findings suggest meaningful reductions in healthcare utilization and improvements in patient throughput for surgical services.
A particularly notable outcome of the analysis was an improvement in cardiorespiratory endurance (CRF). CRF is a key measure indicating how effectively the body can take in, transport, and utilize oxygen during physical activity. Higher CRF often translates into better tolerance for surgical stress, quicker mobilization after surgery, and a smoother overall recovery trajectory. This shift in CRF likely underpins the observed reductions in complication rates and shorter hospital stays.
The scope of the study included major operations lasting longer than two hours or those associated with substantial blood loss, specifically exceeding 500 milliliters. It also encompassed a range of broad surgical categories, including liver, lung, colon, urological, and abdominal cavity procedures, reflecting the broad applicability of preoperative conditioning across different specialties and patient populations.
Beyond the surgical arena, interest in early health optimization continues to grow. For example, there is ongoing research into noninvasive indicators of cognitive health and aging, including exploratory work on potential eye-based biomarkers for early dementia detection. While these lines of inquiry are distinct from surgical conditioning, they illustrate the expanding landscape of proactive health strategies that aim to improve outcomes and quality of life across diverse settings.