# Effect of resistance training and high-intensity interval training on metabolic parameters and serum level of Sirtuin1 in postmenopausal women with metabolic syndrome: a randomized controlled trial PMID: 37858156 Journal: Lipids in health and disease Published: 2023 Oct 19 Authors: Kazemi SS, Heidarianpour A, Shokri E ## Question Do 8 weeks of HIIT and resistance training improve metabolic syndrome indicators and serum SIRT1 in postmenopausal women, and is HIIT more effective than resistance training for metabolic outcomes? ## Summary This randomized clinical trial compared 8 weeks of HIIT, resistance training, and usual routine in inactive postmenopausal women with metabolic syndrome. Both exercise programs improved body composition, VO2peak, lipids, blood pressure, glucose/HbA1c, and SIRT1 versus baseline, while HIIT produced larger reductions in systolic blood pressure, cholesterol, fasting glucose, and HbA1c. Resistance training produced larger gains in skeletal muscle mass and 1-repetition maximum strength. ## Population - Inactive postmenopausal women with metabolic syndrome. - Sample size: 45 - Age: 45-65 years. - Sex: Women only. - Fitness level: Inactive; no regular sport activity in the past year. - Health status: Metabolic syndrome by IDF criteria; at least one year since last menstrual period; non-smokers and no chronic musculoskeletal disease. ## Methodology - Randomized clinical trial with HIIT, resistance training, and control groups. - 8 weeks. - Diabetes clinic recruitment and supervised gym-based exercise in Iran. - Randomized and controlled study design. ## Protocol - HIIT walking/running. - Modality: Brisk walking/running intervals with walking recovery. - Work intervals: 3 minutes at 80-90% HRmax. - Recovery: 3 minutes moderate walking at 55-65% HRmax. - Sets or repetitions: 3 high-intensity intervals per session. - Intensity: 80-90% estimated HRmax during work; 55-65% during recovery. - Session duration: 10-minute warm-up, interval work/recovery block, 5-minute cooldown. - Frequency: 3 sessions/week. - Program length: 8 weeks. - Progression: No HIIT progression reported beyond maintaining target HR zones. - Resistance training and control. - Modality: Machine/weight resistance training; usual routine control. - Recovery: 60 seconds between sets in weeks 1-4; 90 seconds in weeks 5-8. - Sets or repetitions: Weeks 1-4: 3 sets of 8-10 reps at 75% 1RM; weeks 5-8: 8 reps at 80% 1RM. - Intensity: 75-80% 1RM for resistance training. - Session duration: Same warm-up/cooldown framework; exact RT session duration not stated. - Frequency: 3 sessions/week. - Program length: 8 weeks. - Progression: Linear progression from 75% to 80% 1RM with lower reps and longer rest. ## Outcomes ### Metabolic syndrome markers Status: improved Both training groups reduced weight, waist circumference, BMI, fat mass, LDL, triglyceride, cholesterol, fasting blood sugar, HbA1c, and systolic/diastolic blood pressure and increased SIRT1. Reported significant within training groups, p<0.05. ### HIIT versus resistance training Status: mixed HIIT produced larger reductions in systolic blood pressure, cholesterol, HbA1c, and fasting blood sugar and a larger VO2peak increase; resistance training produced larger skeletal muscle mass and 1RM gains. Between-exercise differences reported p<0.05 for cholesterol, SBP, FBS, VO2peak, and muscle/strength outcomes; no significant difference for SIRT1. ### Control group Status: no clear change No significant variations were observed in the control group. Reported p>0.05. ### SIRT1 Status: improved SIRT1 increased in both exercise groups, with no meaningful difference between HIIT and resistance training. Training groups p<0.05; between exercise programs p>0.05. ## Practical Insights - Three-minute HIIT intervals with three-minute walking recoveries are a plausible clinical pattern for older women when supervised. - HIIT may target metabolic markers more strongly while resistance training may target muscle mass and strength. - For HIITplay, this supports combining cardio intervals and resistance work rather than treating them as interchangeable. ## Limitations - Small sample of 15 per group. - The paper describes the study as cross-sectional in limitations despite randomized trial design, creating reporting ambiguity. - Food intake and drinking habits were not recorded. - No detailed adherence, dropout, or adverse-event reporting. - Clinical postmenopausal metabolic syndrome population limits generalization. ## Safety And Adherence - No explicit adverse-event reporting was found in the extracted full text. - Exercise familiarization was performed to minimize errors and injuries. - Participants with decompensated heart failure and chronic musculoskeletal disease were excluded. ## Original Sources - [PubMed](https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/37858156/) (pubmed) - [DOI](https://doi.org/10.1186/s12944-023-01940-x) (doi) - [PMC full text](https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC10588115/) (full text) ## Agent Guidance Preserve the paper-level scope of this note. Do not generalize beyond the population, protocol, measured outcomes, and limitations above.