Effectiveness of Continuous Aerobic Versus High-Intensity Interval Training on Atherosclerotic and Inflammatory Markers in Boys With Overweight/Obesity.

Abstract

Atherosclerosis is a complex multifactorial disease whose first steps can be initiated from childhood. Therefore, we examined the effects of 2 training models on salusins levels, inflammatory markers, and lipid profile in boys with overweight/obesity. Forty-five boys with overweight/obesity with the mean age of 11.06 (1.0) years were randomly divided into three groups of 15: a high-intensity interval training (HIIT) group (100%-110% of maximum aerobic speed); an aerobic training group (40%-70% of heart rate reserve); and a control group. The intervention included 3 sessions per week for 12weeks. Findings showed significant improvements in serum levels of salusins, salusins ratio, interleukin-6 (IL-6), and total cholesterol (TC) in both training groups (P < .001). Also, the serum levels of C-reactive protein (CRP), triglycerides (TG), low-density lipoprotein cholesterol (LDL), high-density lipoprotein cholesterol (HDL), atherogenic index of plasma (AIP), and cholesterol index improved significantly (P < .01). Except for the TG, HIIT caused higher improvements than aerobic training (P < .001 for salusin-α, salusins ratio, IL-6, CRP, TC, HDL, AIP, and cholesterol index; and P < .01 for salusin-β and LDL). The present study shows that HIIT has more positive effects than aerobic exercise on the atherosclerotic and inflammatory factors, as well as lipid profile variables in children with overweight/obesity.