Effects of high vs. moderate exercise intensity during interval training on lipids and adiponectin levels in obese young females

Abstract

We investigate the effects of 12-week interval training of moderate- or high-intensity exercise on blood lipids and plasma levels of adiponectin. Thirty-four obese adolescent females [age = 15.9±0.3years; BMI and BMI-Z-score =30.8±1.6kg/m(2) and 3±0.3, respectively], were randomized to high-intensity interval training (HIIT, n=11), moderate-intensity interval training (MIIT, n=11), or a control group (CG, n=12). Maximal oxygen uptake ([Formula: see text]), maximal aerobic speed (MAS), plasma lipids and adiponectin levels were measured in all subjects before and after training. Following the training program, in both training groups, body mass, BMI-Z-score, and percentage body fat (% BF) decreased, while [Formula: see text] and MAS increased. Low-density lipoprotein cholesterol, high-density lipoprotein cholesterol, and adiponectin levels were positively altered (-12.6 and -7.4%; 6.3 and 8.0%; 35.8 and 16.2%; high to moderate training program, respectively). Waist circumference, triglyceride and total cholesterol decreased only in HIIT group (-3.5; -5.3 and -7.0%, respectively, in all P<0.05). Significant decrease in the usual index of insulin resistance (HOMA-IR) occurred in HIIT and MIIT groups (-29.2±5.3 and -18.4±8.6%, respectively; P<0.01). The results show that HIIT positively changes blood lipids and adiponectin variables in obese adolescent girls, resulting in improved insulin sensitivity, as attested by a lower HOMA-IR, and achieving better results compared to moderate-intensity exercise.