The true purpose behind exercise isn’t to look or feel good, or to be on an endless treadmill of being fit for tomorrow’s workout. Physical exercise is having the foresight today to develop resiliency and reserve to face adversity tomorrow. And for many, sometimes those adversity is a medical condition that needs surgery. According to researchers from the University of Otago, high intensity interval training (HIIT) before surgery can significantly improve recovery outcomes.

The researchers reviewed and analyzed 12 studies, totaling 832 patients of the average age of 66 to 67 years old of whom had undergone HIIT prior to all types of major surgeries, defined as expecting more than two hours or anticipated blood loos greater than 500 mL, including surgeries of the liver, lung, colorectal, urological, and other abdominal surgeries.

They found that HIIT reduced the risk of complications by 56% and stayed three day less in the hospital. One benefit of HIIT that contributed to these positive outcomes was from the cardiorespiratory fitness benefits that from these workouts.

For the sake of general health, it’s always good to include a variety of kinds of workouts. HIIT continues to prove itself to be one of the most beneficial exercises out there.

The study was published in JAMA Network Open.

K Clifford et al. Association of preoperative high-intensity interval training with cardiorespiratory fitness and postoperative outcomes along adults undergoing major surgery, a systematic review and meta-analysis. JAMA Network Open. 2023. doi:10.1001/jamanetworkopen.2023.20527