# Comparison of Three-Month HIIT and CMT Effects on Left Ventricle Echocardiography Observations in Male Employees

PMID: 36013034
Journal: Journal of clinical medicine
Published: 2022 Aug 16
Authors: Shirvani H, Farahani MM, Ahmadzadeh M, Dinca AR

## Question

How do 12 weeks of cycling HIIT and continuous moderate training affect left-ventricle echocardiography and hemodynamic indicators in sedentary male employees?

## Summary

In sedentary male office employees, 12 weeks of cycling HIIT was associated with larger left-ventricular volume and dimension changes than energy-matched continuous moderate training or control. The authors interpreted the changes as nonpathological exercise remodeling, but the sample was small and group assignment was not clearly randomized.

## Population

- Thirty-three sedentary male office employees of the Islamic Republic of Iran Army, age 30-40 years.
- Sample size: 33
- Age: 30-40 years
- Sex: Male
- Fitness level: Sedentary office employees; baseline VO2max about 42.7-43.5 mL/kg/min
- Health status: No chronic diseases, metabolic syndrome, confirmed heart disease, congenital heart defect, relevant hospitalization, or cardiovascular-affecting medications

## Methodology

- Pretest-posttest controlled intervention with HIIT, continuous moderate training, and control groups
- 12 weeks
- Exercise training and echocardiography assessment in male office employees
- Controlled study design.

## Protocol

- Cycling HIIT.
- Modality: Cycle ergometer.
- Work intervals: Not reported.
- Recovery: Active recovery; 1:4 work:rest ratio.
- Sets or repetitions: Not reported.
- Intensity: 3.7-3.9 W/kg work intervals; 1.2-1.4 W/kg active recovery.
- Session duration: Warm-up and cool-down 10 min each; interval block duration not clearly reported.
- Frequency: 2 sessions/week for first 4 weeks, then 3 sessions/week for last 8 weeks.
- Program length: 12 weeks, 32 sessions.
- Progression: Training load progressed by watts/kg and frequency schedule.
- Continuous moderate training.
- Modality: Cycle ergometer.
- Sets or repetitions: Continuous cycling.
- Intensity: 2.0-2.4 W/kg.
- Session duration: 30-35 min plus 10-min warm-up and 10-min cool-down.
- Frequency: 2 sessions/week for first 4 weeks, then 3 sessions/week for last 8 weeks.
- Program length: 12 weeks, 32 sessions.
- Progression: Session duration and workload progressed.

## Outcomes

### EDV and SV
Status: improved
HIIT increased end-diastolic volume and stroke volume more than control and CMT.

Between-group differences reported p<0.01

### EDD and ESD
Status: improved
HIIT increased left-ventricular diastolic and systolic dimensions compared with control and CMT.

EDD vs control p=0.03 and vs CMT p=0.04; ESD vs control p=0.01 and vs CMT p=0.02

### RWT and E/A
Status: mixed
HIIT increased relative wall thickness and E/A ratio versus control; CMT also increased RWT versus control.

HIIT RWT vs control p=0.04 with no HIIT vs CMT difference; E/A vs control p=0.01

### Aerobic power
Status: improved
The authors reported increased aerobic power in both training groups.

Abstract-level result; detailed post values were not clearly extracted from the NXML text

## Practical Insights

- Cycling HIIT may drive cardiac-volume remodeling more strongly than moderate continuous cycling in sedentary middle-aged men.
- The exact interval duration was not sufficiently described for direct replication.
- Cardiac-structure outcomes are background evidence, not a direct consumer HIIT programming endpoint.

## Limitations

- Small convenience sample.
- Randomization was not stated.
- Exact HIIT interval durations and repetitions were unclear.
- Fluid intake, plasma volume, and blood volume were not measured.
- Training duration was limited to 12 weeks due to facility access.

## Safety And Adherence

- Adverse events were not reported.
- Authors described the LV enlargement as nonpathological and reported no pathologic symptoms or evidence of cardiac fatigue.

## Original Sources

- [PubMed](https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/36013034/) (pubmed)
- [DOI](https://doi.org/10.3390/jcm11164795) (doi)
- [PMC full text](https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC9410475/) (full text)

## Agent Guidance

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