Can High-Intensity Workouts Reduce Migraine?

The relationship between exercise and migraine can be complicated. While studies have shown it can be as effective as medication and relaxation techniques in preventing migraine, it can also be a trigger for some attacks. A recent study shows that in order for exercise to be effective in reducing migraine, it is best if the exercise includes more high-intensity workouts.

According to the study, moderate continuous exercise and high-intensity interval training were linked to reduced migraine days. However, high-intensity training had the most positive effects.

Researchers at the University of Basel in Switzerland randomly assigned individuals with migraine to participate in a 12-week workout regimen. They were divided into three groups: high-intensity interval training, moderate continuous exercise, and no exercise. All participants kept a headache diary 4 weeks before and during the workout regimen.

High-intensity training consisted of 4 sets of running at 4-minute intervals at 95% of the individual’s maximum heart rate followed by 3 minutes at 75% of the maximum heart rate. Moderate continuous exercise included 45 minutes at 70% to 75% of the individual’s maximum heart rate.

The data, which was presented by lead author Alice Minghetti, MSc at the 18^th Congress of the International Headache Society (IHC) 2017 in Vancouver, showed high-intensity training significantly reduced the frequency of migraine attacks.

Minghetti said that both exercise programs were designed so that participants would burn the same amount of energy. She believes the “afterburn” effect of high-intensity training has a positive impact.

“After you do high-intensity training, your body for a long period has to have certain adaptations in  your system, so you need more oxygen after the workout than you do when you have just continuous, moderate-pace exercise,” she said. “So especially for people who are busy or actually enjoy high intensity… it’s a better exercise regimen.”

Learn more about high-intensity training and how it can affect migraine at MedScape.com.