PMID 37954548

Research
All papers

Effects of low-versus high-volume high-intensity interval training on glycemic control and quality of life in obese women with type 2 diabetes. A randomized controlled trial

Ahmad AM, Mahmoud AM, Serry ZH, Mohamed MM, Abd Elghaffar HA

Question

Does low-volume HIIT differ from high-volume HIIT for glycemic control, lipids, blood pressure, adiposity, cardiorespiratory fitness, and health-related quality of life in obese women with type 2 diabetes?

Summary

This randomized trial compared low-volume and high-volume treadmill HIIT with non-exercise care in obese women with type 2 diabetes. Both HIIT doses improved glycemic control, lipids, adiposity measures, systolic blood pressure, treadmill endurance, and quality of life versus control; the 4 x 4 min dose produced larger gains for glucose, triglycerides, LDL, and treadmill time, while the shorter 2 x 4 min dose produced several similar benefits with less time.

Methodology

  • Obese women with type 2 diabetes on oral medication.
  • 72 participants.
  • Treadmill walking/jogging.
  • Work intervals: 2 x 4 min.
  • Recovery: 3 min active recovery at 65-75% peak HR.
  • Intensity: 85-90% peak HR.
  • 19 min.
  • 3 sessions/week.
  • 12 weeks.
  • Randomized controlled parallel-group trial with low-volume HIIT, high-volume HIIT, and non-exercising control groups.
  • HbA1c, fasting glucose, 2-hour postprandial glucose, Lipids, Blood pressure, and Adiposity were tracked.

Outcomes

Glycemic control

Both HIIT groups improved HbA1c, FBG, and 2-hour postprandial glucose versus baseline and control, with larger improvements after high-volume HIIT.

Between-group post values p<0.001 for glucose measures; high-volume superior to low-volume p<0.05.

Improved

Lipids

Both HIIT groups improved TC, TG, LDL, and HDL versus baseline/control; high-volume was superior for TG and LDL but not TC or HDL.

Reported p<0.05 for significant changes; TG and LDL favored high-volume.

Improved

Blood pressure, adiposity, HRQoL

Low- and high-volume HIIT produced similar improvements in TC, HDL, SBP, DBP except low-volume DBP, BMI, waist measures, and SF-12 scores.

No significant low- vs high-volume difference for these outcomes; low-volume DBP p>0.05.

Improved

Treadmill time to maximal exhaustion

Both HIIT groups improved fitness versus baseline/control; high-volume improved more than low-volume.

High-volume superiority p<0.05.

Improved

Insights

  • A 2 x 4 min HIIT format may be a time-efficient clinical option when session time is a barrier.
  • A 4 x 4 min format may be preferable when glycemic control and fitness are the main goals.
  • Use screening and HR monitoring for people with diabetes.

Limitations

  • No direct VO2max measurement
  • No double blinding
  • Limited assessor blinding
  • Women-only obese diabetes sample
  • No dietary records
  • Medication dosage not modeled
  • Hormonal status not controlled

Safety

  • No unintended effects or harms were reported during or following training in either HIIT group.
  • Participants with complications or exercise contraindications were excluded.