Similar cardiometabolic effects of high- and moderate-intensity training among apparently healthy inactive adults: a randomized clinical trial

Paula Andrea Hernández-Quiñonez,Jorge Enrique Correa-Bautista,Rodrigo Ramirez-Campillo,Diana Camelo-Prieto,Luis Andrés Téllez-T,Robinson Ramírez-Vélez,Alejandra Tordecilla-Sanders,Antonio Garcia-Hermoso,Mikel Izquierdo

doi:10.1186/s12967-017-1216-6

Abstract

BackgroundMetabolic syndrome (MetS) increases the risk of morbidity and mortality from cardiovascular disease, and exercise training is an important factor in the treatment and prevention of the clinical components of MetS.ObjectiveThe aim was to compare the effects of high-intensity interval training and steady-state moderate-intensity training on clinical components of MetS in healthy physically inactive adults.MethodsTwenty adults were randomly allocated to receive either moderate-intensity continuous training [MCT group; 60–80% heart rate reserve (HRR)] or high-intensity interval training (HIT group; 4 × 4 min at 85–95% peak HRR interspersed with 4 min of active rest at 65% peak HRR). We used the revised International Diabetes Federation criteria for MetS. A MetS Z-score was calculated for each individual and each component of the MetS.ResultsIn intent-to-treat analyses, the changes in MetS Z-score were 1.546 (1.575) in the MCT group and −1.249 (1.629) in the HIT group (between-groups difference, P = 0.001). The average number of cardiometabolic risk factors changed in the MCT group (−0.133, P = 0.040) but not in the HIT group (0.018, P = 0.294), with no difference between groups (P = 0.277).ConclusionAmong apparently healthy physically inactive adults, HIT and MCT offer similar cardiometabolic protection against single MetS risk factors but differ in their effect on average risk factors per subject.Trial registration ClinicalTrials.gov NCT02738385 registered on March 23, 2016

Highlights

Metabolic syndrome (MetS) increases the risk of morbidity and mortality from cardiovascular disease, and exercise training is an important factor in the treatment and prevention of the clinical components of MetS
We provide an overview of the methods per the Consolidated Standards of Reporting Trials (CONSORT) checklist [39]
Ten participants were randomly allocated to the moderate-intensity continuous training (MCT) group, and 11 were allocated to the high-intensity training (HIT) group

Summary

Introduction

Metabolic syndrome (MetS) increases the risk of morbidity and mortality from cardiovascular disease, and exercise training is an important factor in the treatment and prevention of the clinical components of MetS. Barceló [9] estimated that the number of CVD deaths in Latin America will increase by more. The findings of the INTERHEART case– control study in Latin America showed that abdominal obesity, dyslipidemia, and hypertension were associated with high population-attributable risks of 48.5, 40.8, and 32.9%, respectively [10]. Interventions aimed at the reduction of modifiable risk factors are thought to be the most effective way to prevent the onset of MetS and potentially CVD in Latin America. Physical inactivity is the fourth leading risk factor for global mortality and is comparable in that respect to smoking and obesity, accounting for 6% of all deaths [13]. Experimental studies indicate that physical inactivity and sedentary time result in alterations in cardiovascular [14] and metabolic biomarkers [15, 16]

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