PMID 35309531

Research
All papers

Inflammatory cytokines and metabolic responses to high-intensity intermittent training: effect of the exercise intensity

Rhibi F, Zouhal H, Lira FS, Ouerghi N, Prioux J, Besbes S, Tijani JM, Hackney AC, Ben Abderrahman A

Question

Do 8-week HIIT programs at 100% versus 110% maximal aerobic velocity produce different metabolic, hormonal, and inflammatory adaptations in young men?

Summary

In young active men, 8 weeks of outdoor running HIIT using 30-second work and 30-second active recovery improved maximal aerobic velocity and reduced several inflammatory and metabolic responses to an intermittent exercise test. Training at 110% of maximal aerobic velocity generally produced larger improvements than 100% MAV, and no test or training injuries were reported.

Methodology

  • Young active male physical education students
  • 37 participants.
  • Track running.
  • Work intervals: 30 s at 100% or 110% MAV.
  • Recovery: 30 s active recovery at 50% MAV.
  • Intensity: 100% MAV or 110% MAV.
  • Variable, with warm-up and cooldown.
  • 3 sessions/week.
  • 8 weeks.
  • Randomized controlled training study with two HIIT groups and two control test groups
  • MAV, Glucose and insulin, Cytokines, and Adherence and injury were tracked.

Outcomes

MAV

Both HIIT protocols increased maximal aerobic velocity, with greater increase at 110% MAV.

EG100 +5.4%, p<0.001; EG110 +8.5%, p<0.001; EG110 vs EG100 p=0.017.

Improved

Glucose

Glucose response at end HIIE decreased after HIIT, especially at 110% MAV.

EG100 Glu_end -14.7%, p=0.009; EG110 Glu_end -18.8%, p<0.001; EG110 lower than EG100 p=0.012.

Improved

IL-6

IL-6 decreased at rest, end exercise, and 15-min recovery after both protocols.

EG100 IL-6rest -34.4%, IL-6end -33.7%; EG110 IL-6rest -40.8%, IL-6end -22.8%; all p<0.001.

Improved

Safety

No training- or test-related injuries occurred and adherence was complete.

100% adherence and compliance reported.

No clear change

Insights

  • A progressive 30/30 running format can be advanced by adding repetitions within two sets.
  • Supramaximal 110% MAV intervals may provide stronger performance and biomarker adaptations in already active young men.

Limitations

  • Small groups
  • Male-only
  • Active young adults only
  • Biomarker surrogate outcomes
  • MAV testing required

Safety

  • No test or training-related injuries occurred.
  • All subjects had 100% adherence and compliance.