PMID 36837817

Research
All papers

Serum Metabolome Adaptations Following 12 Weeks of High-Intensity Interval Training or Moderate-Intensity Continuous Training in Obese Older Adults

Youssef L, Bourgin M, Durand S, Aprahamian F, Lefevre D, Maiuri MC, Marcangeli V, Dulac M, Hajj-Boutros G, Buckinx F, Peyrusqué E, Gaudreau P, Morais JA, Gouspillou G, Kroemer G, Aubertin-Leheudre M, Noirez P

Question

How do 12 weeks of supervised HIIT versus MICT alter the serum metabolome in obese older adults, and how are these metabolite changes associated with clinical and biological adaptations?

Summary

This sub-analysis of two randomized exercise trials compared serum metabolome changes after 12 weeks of supervised elliptical HIIT or treadmill moderate continuous training in obese older adults. Both programs changed serum metabolites, with 21 metabolites changing after HIIT and 18 after MICT, but the paper mainly reports metabolite associations rather than direct clinical superiority. A HIIT-related metabolite change correlated with handgrip strength, while other metabolites correlated with insulin-sensitivity and lipid markers.

Methodology

  • Thirty-eight obese older adults with complete pre/post metabolomics, assigned to HIIT or MICT.
  • 38 participants.
  • Elliptical trainer.
  • Work intervals: 30-second high-intensity sprints.
  • Recovery: 90 seconds at moderate intensity.
  • Intensity: 80-85% maximal heart rate or Borg RPE >17 during hard intervals.
  • 30 minutes including 5-minute warm-up and 5-minute cool-down.
  • 3 sessions per week.
  • 12 weeks.
  • Sub-analysis combining participants from prior randomized controlled trials, with pre/post serum metabolomics after supervised HIIT or MICT.
  • Serum metabolome, Metabolite correlations with strength, Glycemic parameters, and Lipid profile parameters were tracked.

Outcomes

Serum metabolome

Fifty-one metabolites changed after the overall 12-week intervention; 21 changed after HIIT and 18 after MICT.

Significance threshold p < 0.05 with additional FDR analyses reported.

Mixed

PCae (22:1) and strength

In the HIIT group, PCae (22:1) change correlated positively with handgrip strength change.

r = 0.52, p < 0.01.

Improved

2-oxoglutaric acid and insulin sensitivity

2-oxoglutaric acid change correlated with better insulin-sensitivity markers.

HOMA-IR across both groups r = -0.44, p < 0.01; QUICKI across both groups r = 0.46, p < 0.01 and HIIT r = 0.51, p < 0.01.

Mixed

Fumaric acid and acetylcarnitine lipid correlations

In MICT, fumaric acid correlated positively with triglycerides and acetylcarnitine correlated positively with LDL cholesterol.

Fumaric acid/TG r = 0.73, p < 0.01; acetylcarnitine/LDL r = 0.81, p < 0.01.

Mixed

Insights

  • For older adults with obesity, low-impact supervised HIIT can be structured with short 30-second efforts and longer moderate recoveries.
  • This paper is stronger for mechanistic context than for direct workout recommendations.
  • RPE-based intensity targets may be useful when medications make heart-rate targets less reliable.

Limitations

  • Small unequal groups.
  • Sub-analysis of participants with available serum samples.
  • Volunteer sample with possible selection bias.
  • Different devices for HIIT and MICT.
  • Serum metabolome may not represent whole-body metabolism.
  • Replication in an independent cohort is needed.

Safety

  • No adverse events were reported in this metabolomics article.
  • The HIIT modality used an elliptical to reduce lower-limb joint impact.