PMID 35096081

Research
All papers

Effects of 8-week High-Intensity Interval Training and Moderate-Intensity Continuous Training on Bone Metabolism in Sedentary Young Females

Lu M, Li M, Yi L, Li F, Feng L, Ji T, Zang Y, Qiu J

Question

How do 8 weeks of treadmill HIIT and moderate-intensity continuous training affect bone metabolism, body composition, strength, and aerobic fitness in sedentary young women?

Summary

In sedentary young women, 8 weeks of treadmill HIIT and moderate continuous training both improved aerobic fitness and some bone-related measures. HIIT produced larger gains in calcaneus ultrasound indexes, vitamin D metabolite, and lower-limb jump performance, with no reported adverse effects.

Methodology

  • 26 healthy sedentary young women randomized to HIIT or MICT.
  • 26 participants.
  • Treadmill running.
  • Work intervals: 3 min.
  • Recovery: 2 min active recovery at 30-40% VO2max.
  • Intensity: 80-90% VO2max.
  • About 45 min including warm-up and cool-down.
  • 3 sessions/week.
  • 8 weeks.
  • Randomized controlled trial with two active exercise groups
  • VO2max, Bone density, Bone markers, and Jump performance were tracked.

Outcomes

VO2max

Both HIIT and MICT improved aerobic fitness similarly.

HIIT +18.8%; MICT +17.8%; no between-group difference.

Improved

BMD

Total and lower limb BMD increased in both groups; calcaneus BMD did not clearly change.

Total body BMD +8.5% HIIT and +5.5% MICT; lower limb BMD +4.8% HIIT and +4.4% MICT.

Improved

Calcaneus ultrasound

HIIT improved calcaneus ultrasound indexes more than MICT.

HIIT CBUA +16.0% and CSI +16.7%; between-group superiority reported.

Improved

Jump performance

HIIT produced greater lower-limb jump gains.

Standing long jump +10.3% HIIT vs +3.8% MICT; vertical jump +5.3% vs +2.0%.

Improved

Insights

  • Three-minute treadmill HIIT intervals can be tolerated by screened sedentary young women.
  • Bone-related outcomes may need longer programs for confident structural interpretation.
  • Active recovery and early intensity progression are useful design elements.

Limitations

  • Small sample.
  • Short duration relative to bone remodeling timelines.
  • Diet and fluid intake not recorded in detail.
  • Young healthy female sample limits generalizability.
  • Limited bone turnover markers.

Safety

  • All participants completed every session.
  • The article reports no adverse effects.