PMID 35741374

Research
All papers

Effects of High-Intensity Interval Training on Selected Adipokines and Cardiometabolic Risk Markers in Normal-Weight and Overweight/Obese Young Males-A Pre-Post Test Trial

Ouerghi N, Fradj MKB, Duclos M, Bouassida A, Feki M, Weiss K, Knechtle B

Question

How does 8 weeks of HIIT affect adipokines and cardiometabolic risk markers in normal-weight and excess-weight young men?

Summary

In 18 mildly active young men, 8 weeks of running HIIT increased omentin-1 in both normal-weight and excess-weight groups. Body composition, lipids, and insulin resistance improved mainly in the excess-weight group, while leptin, adiponectin, chemerin, and CRP did not significantly change. The study had no non-exercising control group.

Methodology

  • Healthy male students aged 17-20 years, stratified into normal-weight and excess-weight groups.
  • 18 participants.
  • Running.
  • Work intervals: 30 seconds.
  • Recovery: 30 seconds active recovery.
  • Intensity: Work at 100%-110% MAV; recovery at 50% MAV.
  • 15-min warm-up, main intervals, and 10-min cool-down.
  • 3 sessions per week.
  • 8 weeks.
  • Pre-post trial comparing normal-weight and excess-weight groups without a non-exercise control group.
  • Adipokines, Body composition, Metabolic markers, and VO2max were tracked.

Outcomes

Omentin-1

Omentin-1 increased in both normal-weight and excess-weight groups.

EWG +27% and NWG +22%; p<0.01.

Improved

Leptin, adiponectin, chemerin

Leptin, adiponectin, and chemerin did not significantly change in either group.

No significant changes; no group-by-time interaction for adipokines.

No clear change

Excess-weight cardiometabolic markers

BMI, body fat, total cholesterol, triglycerides, and HOMA-IR improved in excess-weight participants only.

BMI -1.62%, p=0.015; body fat -1.59%, p=0.021; TC -11.8%, p=0.026; TG -21.3%, p=0.023; HOMA-IR -31.5%, p=0.043.

Improved

VO2max and CRP

VO2max increased after training, but CRP did not change.

Article reports VO2max increased in both groups; CRP no significant change.

Mixed

Insights

  • A progressive 30:30 running HIIT dose can improve fitness and selected metabolic markers in excess-weight young men.
  • Adipokine changes were selective; omentin-1 increased, but leptin and adiponectin did not change.
  • The absence of a non-exercise control group limits causal certainty.

Limitations

  • Small sample.
  • No non-exercising control group.
  • Short program may not be long enough for leptin, adiponectin, or chemerin changes.
  • Body fat estimated from skinfolds rather than DXA or MRI.
  • Diet and energy expenditure were not controlled.
  • Usual physical activity was not objectively measured.
  • Male-only mildly active young sample.

Safety

  • Participants with acute/chronic illness, medication use, smoking, alcohol drinking, or athletic training were excluded.
  • Students absent for more than two training sessions were excluded from analysis.
  • No adverse events were reported.