Abstract
Purpose: The main objective of this meta-analysis was to compare the effectiveness of high-intensity interval training (HIIT) and of moderate-intensity continuous training (MICT) on cardiometabolic health in childhood obesity and determine whether HIIT is a superior form of training in managing obese children's metabolic health.Methods: Relevant studies published in PubMed, Web of Science, Embase, the Cochrane Library, EBSCO, and CNKI were searched, restricted to those published from inception to 1 October 2019. Only randomized controlled trials (RCTs) depicting the effect of HIIT on childhood obesity were included.Results: Nine RCTs involving 309 participants were included in the meta-analysis. Among the 309 participants, 158 subjects were randomized for HIIT, while the others were randomized for MICT. Significant differences were observed in the body weight (mean difference [MD] = −5.45 kg, p = 0.001), body mass index (BMI; MD = −1.661 kg/m2, p = 0.0001), systolic blood pressure (SBP; MD = −3.994 mmHg, p = 0.003), and diastolic blood pressure (DBP; MD = −3.087 mmHg, p = 0.0001) in the HIIT group relative to the baseline values. Similar effects were found in the MICT group, as depicted by the significantly decreased values for body weight (MD = −4.604 kg, p = 0.0001), BMI (MD = −2.366 kg/m2, p = 0.0001), SBP (MD = −3.089 mmHg, p = 0.019), and DBP (MD = −3.087 mmHg, p = 0.0001). However, no significant differences were observed in the changes in body weight, BMI, SBP, or DBP between the HIIT and MICT groups. Furthermore, our studies showed that both HIIT and MICT could significantly improve VO2peak (HIIT, MD = 4.17 ml/kg/min, 95% CI: 3.191 to 5.163, p = 0.0001; MICT, MD = 1.704 ml/kg/min, 95% CI: 0.279 to 3.130, p = 0.019). HIIT also showed more positive effects on VO2peak (SMD = 0.468, 95% CI: 0.040 to 0.897, p = 0.006) than MICT.Conclusion: HIIT positively affects the cardiometabolic risk factors in childhood obesity. Similar positive effects on body composition and blood pressure were established. Moreover, HIIT can improve cardiorespiratory fitness more significantly than MICT. These findings indicate that HIIT may be an alternative and effective training method for managing childhood obesity.PROSPERO Registration Number: CRD42018111308.
Highlights
Childhood obesity, defined by the World Health Organization (WHO) as abnormal or excessive fat accumulation that can eventually pose health risks, is one of the most serious global public health challenges of the twenty first century
Similar effects were found in the Moderate-intensity continuous training (MICT) group (Figures 4, 5), as indicated by the significantly decreased body weight (MD = −4.604 kg, 95% confidence interval (95% CI): −5.103 to −4.106, p = 0.0001), BMI (MD = −2.366 kg/m2, 95% CI: −2.785 to −1.947, p = 0.0001), and waist circumference (WC) (MD = −6.468 cm, 95% CI: −11.546 to −1.389, p = 0.013)
No significant differences were observed in the changes in body weight (SMD = −0.16, 95% CI: −0.41 to 0.10, p = 0.23), BMI (SMD = 0.21, 95% CI: −0.04 to 0.46, p = 0.09), WC (MD = −0.342 cm, 95% CI: −3.204 to 2.520, p = 0.815), or body fat percentage (MD = −0.253%, 95% CI: −1.392 to 0.885, p = 0.663) between the High-intensity interval training (HIIT) and MICT interventions (Table 2)
Summary
Childhood obesity, defined by the World Health Organization (WHO) as abnormal or excessive fat accumulation that can eventually pose health risks, is one of the most serious global public health challenges of the twenty first century. Exercise is a critical component of childhood obesity management because it can improve body composition and maintain cardiometabolic health. Both the American College of Sports Medicine and the WHO have strongly recommended that children allocate at least 60 min per day to moderate to vigorous physical activities and engage in high-intensity exercises at least three times per week. Moderate-intensity continuous training (MICT) is the traditional method of increasing physical activity. It is an effective way of reducing body fat and cardiometabolic risk in obese children. Other time-efficient exercise modalities for obese children and adolescents should be explored
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