PMID 36834025

Research
All papers

Targeted Lipidomics and Inflammation Response to Six Weeks of Sprint Interval Training in Male Adolescents

Wang A, Zhang H, Liu J, Yan Z, Sun Y, Su W, Yu JG, Mi J, Zhao L

Question

How do 6 weeks of cycle sprint interval training affect targeted lipidomic profiles and inflammatory markers in male adolescents?

Summary

In 12 male adolescents who completed 6 weeks of supervised cycle sprint interval training, VO2peak and muscle mass increased, standard blood lipids and fasting glucose stayed normal and unchanged, and several inflammatory markers and lipid intermediates shifted. The study had no control group and a very small sample.

Methodology

  • Healthy male adolescents aged 12-14 years with no regular training in the prior year.
  • 12 participants.
  • Wingate-style cycle sprints.
  • Work intervals: 30 seconds.
  • Recovery: 4 minutes active cycling at 60 rpm and 25 W.
  • Intensity: Maximal sprint at 7.5% body-weight resistance.
  • Approximately 25-40 minutes including 10-15 minute warm-up.
  • 3 sessions per week.
  • 6 weeks.
  • Single-arm pre/post intervention.
  • VO2peak, Inflammatory markers, and Targeted lipidomics were tracked.

Outcomes

VO2peak

VO2peak increased after 6 weeks of SIT.

p<0.01

Improved

Standard lipids

Conventional lipid markers and fasting glucose remained normal and did not change significantly.

TCHO, HDL-C, LDL-C, TG, and FBG not significantly changed.

No clear change

Inflammation

Several inflammatory markers decreased, while IL-6 and the IL-10/TNF-alpha ratio increased.

CRP, IL-1beta, IL-2, IL-4, IL-10, TNF-alpha, and TGF-beta decreased significantly; IL-6 and IL-10/TNF-alpha increased.

Mixed

Lipidomics

Thirty-three lipid species changed significantly after training.

33/296 lipids changed; 16 decreased and 17 increased.

Mixed

Insights

  • A short all-out cycle SIT block can improve adolescent VO2peak with only 2-3 minutes of sprint work per session.
  • Long recoveries are part of the tested protocol and should not be compressed when translating SIT.
  • Standard lipid panels may miss molecular lipid changes.

Limitations

  • Very small sample.
  • No control group.
  • Male adolescents only.
  • Growth and maturation may confound changes.
  • Short follow-up and no long-term maintenance data.
  • No serum insulin measurement.

Safety

  • No adverse events were reported.
  • Participants with cardiopulmonary, metabolic, or inflammatory diseases were excluded.