Can HIIT help veterans breathe easier after deployment?

NCT ID NCT05849168

First seen Jun 27, 2026 · Last updated Jun 27, 2026

Summary

This pilot study looked at whether high-intensity interval training (HIIT) can improve fitness and symptoms in veterans who developed breathing problems after deployment to Southwest Asia. Twelve veterans completed a 12-week program of supervised HIIT on a stationary bike plus home aerobic exercise. The study measured changes in exercise capacity, heart function, and quality of life.

What this could mean

Our plain-language read of the trial. This is informational only — not medical advice or a prediction.

Active substance

high-intensity interval training (HIIT) on a stationary bike and home aerobic exercise

What this could lead to

If it works, this could point toward a non-drug way to improve breathing and fitness in veterans with deployment-related lung problems.

What could go wrong

This is a very small pilot study with only 12 participants, so results may not apply to all veterans. It's too early to know if HIIT is truly effective or safe for everyone with this condition.

Disclaimer Read more

This is a summary of the original study . Summaries may miss details or leave out important information. Before applying or accepting participation, make sure you have read and understood the full study. Curemydisease.com takes no responsibility whatsoever for anything missed, misunderstood, or acted upon as a result of our summary — we know it does not capture everything.

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As listed by the trial registrant

The condition terms exactly as the trial's registrant entered them.

Contacts and locations

Locations

  • University of Colorado Anschutz Medical Campus

    Aurora, Colorado, 80045, United States

  • VA Eastern Colorado Health Care System

    Aurora, Colorado, 80045, United States