# Effects of high-intensity interval training on body composition, aerobic and anaerobic performance and plasma lipids in overweight/obese and normal-weight young men

PMID: 29472742
Journal: Biology of Sport
Published: 2017
Authors: Ouerghi N, Fradj MKB, Bezrati I, Khammassi M, Feki M, Kaabachi N, Bouassida A

## Question

Does 8 weeks of running HIIT improve body composition, aerobic and anaerobic performance, and plasma lipids in overweight/obese and normal-weight young men?

## Summary

In overweight/obese and normal-weight male adolescents/young men, 8 weeks of supervised running HIIT improved aerobic fitness, jumping, and 30 m sprint performance. Body-fat and lipid improvements were clearer in the overweight/obese group.

## Population

- Secondary-school young men assigned by weight status to overweight/obese or normal-weight groups
- Sample size: 18
- Age: 17-20 years
- Sex: 18 men
- Fitness level: School students with 2-3 h physical education/week
- Health status: No smoking, medication, disease, injury, or medical contraindication to physical activity

## Methodology

- Parallel-group training study without a non-training control
- 8 weeks
- Supervised afternoon stadium running sessions
- Controlled study design.

## Protocol

- Running HIIT at maximal aerobic velocity.
- Modality: Running.
- Work intervals: 30 s.
- Recovery: 30 s active recovery.
- Sets or repetitions: Two series of 8-10 repetitions, with 5 min passive recovery between series.
- Intensity: 100-110% maximal aerobic velocity during work; 50% MAV active recovery.
- Session duration: 10 min jog, 5 min dynamic stretching, accelerations, interval work, and 10 min cool-down.
- Frequency: 3 sessions/week.
- Program length: 8 weeks.
- Progression: Weeks 1-2: 2 x 8 at 100% MAV; weeks 3-4: 2 x 10 at 100%; weeks 5-6: 2 x 10 at 105%; weeks 7-8: 2 x 10 at 110%.
- Normal-weight training comparison.
- Modality: Same running HIIT protocol.
- Work intervals: 30 s.
- Recovery: 30 s active recovery.
- Sets or repetitions: Same progression.
- Intensity: 100-110% MAV.
- Session duration: Same session structure.
- Frequency: 3 sessions/week.
- Program length: 8 weeks.
- Progression: Same progression as overweight/obese group.

## Outcomes

### Aerobic fitness
Status: improved
Maximal aerobic velocity and estimated VO2max improved in both groups.

OG MAV +5.55%, p = 0.005; OG VO2max +5.27%, p = 0.006; NWG MAV +2.96%, p = 0.009; NWG VO2max +2.88%, p = 0.009

### Body fat
Status: improved
Body mass, BMI, and body fat decreased in the overweight/obese group but not in normal-weight participants.

OG body mass -1.62%, p = 0.016; BMI p = 0.015; body fat -1.59%, p = 0.021

### Performance
Status: improved
Jumping and 30 m sprint performance improved in both groups.

FJT, squat jump, countermovement jump, and 30 m sprint improved in both groups; 10 m sprint improved only in overweight/obese group

### Lipids
Status: mixed
Total cholesterol, triglycerides, and LDL improved in the overweight/obese group; HDL and normal-weight lipid changes were not significant.

OG TC -11.8%, p = 0.026; TG -21.3%, p = 0.023; LDL -11.9%, p = 0.050; HDL unchanged

## Practical Insights

- A simple 30 s on/30 s active-recovery running format can improve fitness and performance in young men.
- Body-composition and lipid improvements may be more evident when baseline adiposity is higher.
- Progressing both repetitions and percent of MAV is a clear overload model.

## Limitations

- Very small final sample
- No non-training control group
- Dietary intake and energy expenditure were not controlled
- Young male students only
- One participant stopped because he had difficulty adapting to intense exercise

## Safety And Adherence

- No injuries were reported among completers.
- One participant stopped early because of difficulty adapting to intense exercise.

## Original Sources

- [PubMed](https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/29472742/) (pubmed)
- [DOI](https://doi.org/10.5114/biolsport.2017.69827) (doi)
- [PMC full text](https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC5819474/) (full text)

## Agent Guidance

Preserve the paper-level scope of this note. Do not generalize beyond the population, protocol, measured outcomes, and limitations above.