# The effect of aerobic and high-intensity interval training on plasma pentraxin 3 and lipid parameters in overweight and obese women PMID: 39372725 Journal: PeerJ Published: 2024 Authors: Cicek G, Ozcan O, Akyol P, Isik O, Novak D, Küçük H ## Question Do 12 weeks of aerobic exercise and HIIT increase plasma pentraxin 3 and improve lipid, metabolic, inflammatory, body composition, and VO2max outcomes in overweight or obese women? ## Summary In sedentary overweight or obese women, both 12 weeks of supervised aerobic step exercise and treadmill HIIT improved PTX3, BMI/body composition, VO2max, glucose/insulin/HOMA-IR, LDL-C, HDL-C, and hsCRP, with no significant difference between exercise types. The control group was normal weight and not randomized, so this is better evidence that regular supervised exercise helps these markers than evidence that HIIT is superior to aerobic exercise. ## Population - Sedentary women aged 20-40; exercise groups were overweight/obese and control group was normal weight. - Sample size: 45 - Age: Control 34.20 +/- 4.16 years; AE 32.93 +/- 6.61; HIIT 29.67 +/- 7.22 - Sex: Women only - Fitness level: Sedentary; <20 minutes moderate-vigorous activity on <3 days/week and no exercise program in previous 3 months - Health status: Exercise groups overweight/obese; excluded heart disease, diabetes, hypertension, respiratory/metabolic/inflammatory disorders, smoking, menopause, orthopedic limitations, and relevant medications ## Methodology - Randomized parallel exercise comparison with non-random normal-weight control group - 12 weeks - Supervised exercise sessions in Turkey - Randomized and controlled study design. ## Protocol - Treadmill HIIT. - Modality: Treadmill running. - Work intervals: 1 minute at 80-90% HRmax. - Recovery: 1 minute walking at 50% HRmax. - Sets or repetitions: 6-10 work intervals. - Intensity: 80-90% HRmax work intervals, 50% HRmax recovery; HR monitored with Polar A360. - Session duration: 21-29 minutes including 5 minute warm-up. - Frequency: 3 sessions/week. - Program length: 12 weeks; 36 sessions. - Progression: Work intervals progressed from 6 to 10. - Aerobic step exercise and normal-weight control. - Modality: Basic aerobic-step exercise for AE; no exercise for control. - Work intervals: AE continuous primary exercise. - Sets or repetitions: AE 40 minutes primary exercise. - Intensity: AE progressed from 60% HR to 70% to 80% across 12 weeks. - Session duration: AE 50 minutes including 5 minute warm-up and 40 minute primary exercise. - Frequency: 3 sessions/week for AE. - Program length: 12 weeks. - Progression: AE intensity 60% HR weeks 1-4, 70% weeks 5-8, 80% weeks 9-12. ## Outcomes ### PTX3 Status: improved PTX3 increased substantially after both AE and HIIT, approaching levels in normal-weight controls. AE +47.53%, HIIT +50.21%, p<0.01; AE 1.71 +/- 0.43 to 2.47 +/- 0.40; HIIT 1.62 +/- 0.39 to 2.31 +/- 0.33 ng/dL. ### Body composition and VO2max Status: improved BMI and body composition improved, and VO2max increased in both exercise groups. BMI decreased AE 5.81% and HIIT 5.06%, p<0.01; VO2max increased about 25% AE and 23% HIIT in discussion. ### Glucose, insulin resistance, lipids, inflammation Status: improved Glucose, insulin, HOMA-IR, LDL-C, and hsCRP decreased, while HDL-C increased in both exercise groups. Significant changes p<0.05 or p<0.01; HOMA-IR reduction reported as 17% AE and 24% HIIT; hsCRP reduction 37% AE and 41% HIIT. ### AE versus HIIT Status: no clear change No significant differences were found between aerobic exercise and HIIT for measured parameters. No significant differences between exercise types; TG and TC did not significantly differ between groups, p>0.05. ## Practical Insights - A 6-10 x 1-minute treadmill HIIT session at 80-90% HRmax is a clear, app-adaptable structure for screened overweight/obese women. - HIIT did not outperform aerobic exercise; content should emphasize regular supervised exercise rather than HIIT superiority. - A normal-weight, non-randomized control limits interpretation of between-group clinical normalization claims. ## Limitations - Diet was not rigorously controlled and exercise may have changed eating behavior. - Only women and one obesity category were included. - Control group consisted of normal-weight women and was not randomized. - Future studies should examine both sexes, obesity types, diet/calorie restriction, and different exercise intensities. ## Safety And Adherence - All participants completed medical questionnaires and were informed about risks/discomfort before consent. - No adverse events or injuries were reported in the extracted text. - Training was supervised by qualified/certified fitness professionals. ## Original Sources - [PubMed](https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/39372725/) (pubmed) - [DOI](https://doi.org/10.7717/peerj.18123) (doi) - [PMC full text](https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC11451446/) (full text) ## Agent Guidance Preserve the paper-level scope of this note. Do not generalize beyond the population, protocol, measured outcomes, and limitations above.