An evaluation of low volume high-intensity intermittent training (HIIT) for health risk reduction in overweight and obese men

Benjamin M Kelly,Myra A Nimmo,Soteris Xenophontos,James A King

doi:10.1186/s40608-017-0151-7

Benjamin M Kelly, Myra A Nimmo + Show 2 more

Open Access

https://doi.org/10.1186/s40608-017-0151-7

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Abstract

ᅟBoth sprint interval training (SIT) and high-intensity intermittent training (HIIT) have been described as time-efficient strategies for inducing favourable metabolic and cardiorespiratory adaptations in healthy and diseased participants.BackgroundTo date, little attention has been given to profiling the potential health benefits of HIIT or modified HIIT training within overweight and obese cohorts with particular focus on inflammation. Within this pilot trial, we tested the hypothesis that 6 sessions of HIIT performed over 2 weeks with 1–2 days’ rest would improve aerobic capacity, glucose metabolism and inflammatory profile in an overweight and obese male cohort. Additionally, we profiled the potential health benefits of 4 HIIT sessions performed over the same period.Methods18 overweight or obese males (BMI = 31.2 ± 3.6; V̇O2 = 30.3 ± 4.4 ml.kg.min-1) were studied before and 72 h after HIIT. Training sessions consisted of 10 x 1 min intervals at 90% HRpeak separated by 1 min recovery periods. Exercise was performed either 6 (group 1, n = 8) or 4 (group 2, n = 10) times over a 2 week period.ResultsAfter training no changes were detected from baseline for body composition, aerobic capacity, glucose metabolism or inflammatory profile (p > 0.05) in either group.ConclusionBoth 6 and 4 sessions of HIIT performed over a 2-week period are ineffective in improving selected health markers within an overweight and obese cohort.Trial registrationThis trial reports data from human participants and was retrospectively registered on 22/02/2017 with the ISRCTN registry, trial number ISRCTN90672085.

Highlights

To date, little attention has been given to profiling the potential health benefits of high-intensity intermittent training (HIIT) or modified HIIT training within overweight and obese cohorts with particular focus on inflammation
Existing data suggests that sprint interval training (SIT) and HIIT training can be effective in improving insulin sensitivity, body composition, V O2max [67], and inflammation [66]
The current study demonstrates that not all short-term HIIT protocols are effective in providing significant health benefits

Summary

Introduction

Little attention has been given to profiling the potential health benefits of HIIT or modified HIIT training within overweight and obese cohorts with particular focus on inflammation. Within this pilot trial, we tested the hypothesis that 6 sessions of HIIT performed over 2 weeks with 1–2 days’ rest would improve aerobic capacity, glucose metabolism and inflammatory profile in an overweight and obese male cohort. There are many perceived barriers to performing regular physical activity [8] one of the most commonly cited obstacles is lack of time [9] and when combined with recent evidence suggesting that some individuals prefer an intermittent exercise protocol in comparison to continuous exercise [10], it may be timely to consider novel forms of exercise that may be more readily adopted.

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