PMID 35401768

Research
All papers

Effects of high intensity interval training on sustained reduction in cardiometabolic risk associated with overweight/obesity. A randomized trial

Mendelson M, Chacaroun S, Baillieul S, Doutreleau S, Guinot M, Wuyam B, Tamisier R, Pépin JL, Estève F, Tessier D, Vergès S, Flore P

Question

How do moderate continuous training, fixed-recovery HIIT, and self-modulated-recovery HIIT compare for fitness, cardiometabolic risk, and longer-term continuation in overweight or obese adults?

Summary

In 60 overweight or obese adults, 8 weeks of supervised cycling HIIT improved cardiorespiratory fitness and waist circumference more than moderate continuous cycling. Four months after supervision ended, the fixed-recovery HIIT group showed better preservation of fitness and more favorable changes in total and abdominal fat and total cholesterol-to-HDL ratio, but HIIT did not clearly improve long-term exercise continuation compared with moderate training.

Methodology

  • Non-active adults with overweight or obesity and no insulin-treated diabetes or major heart or respiratory disease
  • 60 participants.
  • cycle.
  • Work intervals: 60 seconds.
  • Recovery: 60 seconds.
  • Intensity: 100% peak power output during work intervals.
  • 45 minutes.
  • 3 sessions per week.
  • 8 weeks supervised training plus 4-month autonomous follow-up.
  • Single-blind randomized controlled trial with three exercise arms
  • Cardiorespiratory fitness, Body composition, Cardiometabolic markers, and Exercise continuation were tracked.

Outcomes

VO2peak

HIIT and self-modulated HIIT increased VO2peak more than MICT after the supervised program.

Effect: +14% to +17%; Favours: intervention

Improved

Threshold power

HIIT arms improved power at ventilatory thresholds and maximal fat oxidation more than MICT.

Effect: About +25%; Favours: intervention

Improved

Waist circumference

HIIT arms reduced waist circumference compared with MICT.

Effect: -1.53 cm; Favours: intervention

Improved

Follow-up fitness

At four-month follow-up, fixed-recovery HIIT better preserved cardiorespiratory fitness than MICT.

Favours: intervention

Unclear

Exercise continuation

Reported physical-activity continuation did not significantly differ between MICT, HIIT, and self-modulated HIIT.

Effect: 68% MICT, 59% HIIT, 47% self-modulated HIIT; Favours: no_difference

No clear change

Insights

  • For supervised cycling programs, 1-minute intervals at 100% peak power output can improve fitness efficiently in overweight or obese adults.
  • Allowing participants to self-modulate recovery did not clearly improve later exercise continuation.
  • Benefits during supervised HIIT may not translate automatically into better long-term adherence.

Limitations

  • No non-exercise control group.
  • Missing accelerometer follow-up data and sensor issues limited physical-activity conclusions.
  • Dietary survey limitations.
  • Findings need confirmation in more deconditioned populations.

Safety

  • The authors described excellent adherence and tolerance to high-volume short-interval HIIT.
  • Detailed adverse-event counts were not found in the paper.