PMID 40801034

Research
All papers

Effective of high-intensity interval training and moderate-intensity continuous training on body composition, glycolipid metabolism, and cardiopulmonary function in patients with pre-diabetes: a randomized controlled trial

Chen X, Wu L, Zheng Y, Ni X, Zhuang X, Chen L, Hu Q, Zou C, Yin L

Question

Do 12 weeks of HIIT and MICT differ in effects on body composition, cardiovascular measures, glycolipid metabolism, and cardiopulmonary fitness in patients with pre-diabetes?

Summary

In middle-aged Chinese adults with pre-diabetes, 12 weeks of supervised cycling HIIT and moderate continuous cycling both improved blood glucose and VO2peak. MICT had clearer advantages for visceral fat, body fat percentage, triglycerides, and diastolic blood pressure, while HIIT delivered similar glucose and aerobic fitness gains in shorter sessions.

Methodology

  • Middle-aged adults with pre-diabetes.
  • 71 participants.
  • Cycle ergometer.
  • Work intervals: 10 x 1 min.
  • Recovery: 1 min active recovery at 50% HRpeak between intervals.
  • Intensity: 75-90% HRpeak; Borg RPE 16-17.
  • 30 min including warm-up and cool-down.
  • 3 sessions/week.
  • 12 weeks.
  • Assessor-blind, two-arm, parallel randomized controlled trial.
  • Glycemic control, Body composition, Blood pressure, and Lipids were tracked.

Outcomes

Glucose markers

FBG, 2-hour glucose, and HbA1c decreased significantly in both HIIT and MICT without a significant between-group difference.

Within-group p<0.001.

Improved

VO2peak

VO2peak increased in both groups with no significant between-group difference.

HIIT +2.13 +/- 4.94 ml/kg/min; MICT +1.6 +/- 3.40 ml/kg/min; between-group p=0.647.

Improved

Body composition

BMI decreased in both groups; MICT had greater reductions in visceral adipose area and body fat rate, while lean and muscle mass decreased more in HIIT.

BMI HIIT p=0.016; MICT p=0.021; visceral adipose p=0.043 and body fat rate p=0.030 favoring MICT.

Mixed

Blood pressure and lipids

Systolic blood pressure decreased in both groups; MICT reduced diastolic blood pressure and triglycerides more than HIIT.

SBP within groups p<0.001; DBP between-group p=0.011; TG between-group p=0.006.

Mixed

Insights

  • For pre-diabetes, short cycling intervals may improve glucose and aerobic capacity but should not be presented as superior to MICT for fat or triglyceride changes.
  • Use heart-rate or RPE monitoring when translating this protocol.
  • Diet monitoring matters because body composition changes included lean mass losses.

Limitations

  • Dietary education was provided but diet was not strictly monitored or recorded.
  • HIIT and MICT were not energy-expenditure matched.
  • No long-term follow-up for diabetes prevention or maintenance.

Safety

  • Exercise adverse events were recorded, but no specific adverse events were reported in the results.
  • Participants were screened for exercise treadmill contraindications.