# 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

PMID: 35741374
Journal: Biology
Published: 2022-06
Authors: 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.

## Population

- Healthy male students aged 17-20 years, stratified into normal-weight and excess-weight groups.
- Sample size: 18
- Age: Mean 18.2 +/- 1.06 years.
- Sex: Male only; no girls wished to participate.
- Fitness level: Mildly active; usual activity was two hours of PE per week, with trained athletes excluded.
- Health status: Healthy, no acute/chronic illness, medication, regular smoking, or alcohol drinking.

## Methodology

- Pre-post trial comparing normal-weight and excess-weight groups without a non-exercise control group.
- 8 weeks
- Secondary-school/student exercise setting in Dahmani, Tunisia.

## Protocol

- 8-week progressive running HIIT.
- Modality: Running.
- Work intervals: 30 seconds.
- Recovery: 30 seconds active recovery.
- Sets or repetitions: Two series of 8 repetitions, increased to 10 repetitions from week 3.
- Intensity: Work at 100%-110% MAV; recovery at 50% MAV.
- Session duration: 15-min warm-up, main intervals, and 10-min cool-down.
- Frequency: 3 sessions per week.
- Program length: 8 weeks.
- Progression: Repetitions increased from 8 to 10 from week 3; work intensity increased by 5% MAV every 2 weeks from week 5.

## Outcomes

### Omentin-1
Status: improved
Omentin-1 increased in both normal-weight and excess-weight groups.

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

### Leptin, adiponectin, chemerin
Status: no clear change
Leptin, adiponectin, and chemerin did not significantly change in either group.

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

### Excess-weight cardiometabolic markers
Status: improved
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.

### VO2max and CRP
Status: mixed
VO2max increased after training, but CRP did not change.

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

## Practical 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 And Adherence

- 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.

## Original Sources

- [PubMed](https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/35741374/) (pubmed)
- [DOI](https://doi.org/10.3390/biology11060853) (doi)
- [PMC full text](https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC9219855/) (full text)

## Agent Guidance

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