# The Effects of Concurrent Training Combining Both Resistance Exercise and High-Intensity Interval Training or Moderate-Intensity Continuous Training on Metabolic Syndrome

PMID: 32595518
Journal: Frontiers in physiology
Published: 2020
Authors: Da Silva MAR, Baptista LC, Neves RS, De França E, Loureiro H, Lira FS, Caperuto EC, Veríssimo MT, Martins RA

## Question

Do different aerobic intensities, HIIT versus moderate continuous aerobic training, produce different metabolic, body composition, and hemodynamic responses when each is combined with resistance training in adults and older adults with metabolic syndrome?

## Summary

In sedentary adults and older adults with metabolic syndrome, 12 weeks of supervised concurrent resistance training plus HIIT improved waist circumference, fasting glucose, LDL cholesterol, insulin, and HOMA-IR within the HIIT group. Concurrent resistance plus moderate continuous training improved waist circumference and nearly reduced triglycerides, but neither exercise program improved body weight, fat mass, HbA1c, HDL, total cholesterol, blood pressure, or hsCRP over this short intervention.

## Population

- Sedentary adults and older adults with metabolic syndrome.
- Sample size: 39
- Age: 48-77 years; mean 67.0 +/- 6.7 years.
- Sex: 10 men and 29 women overall.
- Fitness level: Sedentary, low structured activity.
- Health status: Metabolic syndrome by IDF criteria.

## Methodology

- Three-arm randomized clinical trial comparing RT plus HIIT, RT plus MICT, and no-formal-exercise control.
- 12 weeks; outcomes measured at baseline and post-intervention.
- Mealhada region, Portugal; supervised exercise in an enclosed gymnastic pavilion with testing by specialized clinical and exercise staff.
- Randomized and controlled study design.

## Protocol

- RT+HIIT.
- Modality: Resistance training plus fast walking/running HIIT.
- Work intervals: 3 min at 80-90% HRmax.
- Recovery: 3 min active walking recovery at 55-65% HRmax.
- Sets or repetitions: 3 aerobic intervals plus 2 sets of 8-15 reps for resistance exercises.
- Intensity: HIIT 80-90% HRmax; resistance Borg CR-10 2-5.
- Session duration: About 50 min.
- Frequency: 3 sessions/week.
- Program length: 12 weeks.
- Progression: Resistance intensity and reps progressed across weeks; HIIT RPE progressed to level 7.
- RT+MICT and control.
- Modality: Resistance training plus continuous walking, or no formal exercise.
- Sets or repetitions: RT+MICT used same resistance protocol plus 25 min continuous walking.
- Intensity: MICT 60-70% HRmax; control no formal exercise.
- Session duration: About 50 min for RT+MICT.
- Frequency: 3 sessions/week for RT+MICT.
- Program length: 12 weeks.
- Progression: MICT RPE progressed from 3 to 5.

## Outcomes

### Waist circumference
Status: improved
Both RT+MICT and RT+HIIT reduced waist circumference within group.

RT+MICT p=0.019; RT+HIIT p=0.003.

### Glucose-insulin profile
Status: improved
RT+HIIT improved fasting glucose, insulin, and HOMA-IR; HbA1c did not change.

Glucose p=0.014; insulin p=0.034; HOMA-IR p=0.028; HbA1c p>=0.05.

### Lipids
Status: mixed
RT+HIIT reduced LDL within group, RT+MICT nearly reduced triglycerides, and control also reduced LDL.

RT+HIIT LDL p=0.022; RT+MICT TG p=0.053; control LDL p=0.031.

### Blood pressure and inflammation
Status: no clear change
Neither exercise program significantly changed systolic, diastolic, mean arterial pressure, or hsCRP.

All p>=0.05.

## Practical Insights

- Combining resistance training with walk-run HIIT can be feasible for screened older adults with metabolic syndrome under supervision.
- Short-term RT+HIIT may be more relevant for glucose-insulin outcomes than for blood pressure or body weight.
- Claims should stay cautious because most favorable findings were within-group changes in a small trial.

## Limitations

- Small sample size with 13 participants per group.
- Short 12-week intervention.
- Diet and medications were incompletely controlled.
- Wide age range and mostly female sample.
- Between-group effects were limited despite within-group improvements.

## Safety And Adherence

- No exercise-related adverse events were reported.
- Sessions were supervised by an exercise physiologist.
- High-risk cardiovascular and renal conditions were excluded.

## Original Sources

- [PubMed](https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/32595518/) (pubmed)
- [DOI](https://doi.org/10.3389/fphys.2020.00572) (doi)
- [PMC full text](https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC7300209/) (full text)

## Agent Guidance

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