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. 2022 Apr;20(2):108-112.
doi: 10.1016/j.jesf.2022.01.004. Epub 2022 Feb 4.

Effects of low-volume, high-intensity interval training on maximal oxygen consumption, body fat percentage and health-related quality of life in women with overweight: A randomized controlled trial

Víctor H Arboleda-Serna  1 , Fredy A Patiño-Villada  1 , Deiber A Pinzón-Castro  1 , Elkin F Arango-Vélez  1
Affiliations

Effects of low-volume, high-intensity interval training on maximal oxygen consumption, body fat percentage and health-related quality of life in women with overweight: A randomized controlled trial

Víctor H Arboleda-Serna et al. J Exerc Sci Fit. 2022 Apr.

Abstract

Background: Several investigations suggest that high-intensity interval training (HIIT) provokes larger changes in VO2max compared to moderate-intensity continuous training (MICT); other studies associate HIIT with significant decreases in total, abdominal and visceral fat mass. However, some meta-analyses express that the enhancements with HIIT on VO2max are slightly higher concerning MICT. These studies had low-to-moderate methodological quality, and the exercise protocols were completed mostly on treadmills or cycle ergometers. Thus, the objective of this study was to compare the effect of a low-volume HIIT versus a MICT program on VO2max, body fat percentage (BFP), and health-related quality of life (HRQoL) in overweight women. It followed a research protocol with high methodological rigor and good reporting quality.

Methods: After two physical adaptation weeks (run-in period), thirty-five volunteers were randomized to HIIT (n = 16) or MICT (n = 19). Both groups performed 24 sessions on a grass sports field (walking, jogging or running). The HIIT group completed 15 bouts of 30 s [90-95%, maximal heart rate (HRmax)], while the MICT group completed 30 min of continuous exercise (65-75% HRmax).

Results: The difference between HIIT and MICT post-intervention on VO2max was not statistically significant (0.8 ml/kg/min. CI 95%, -1.0 to 2.7, p = 0.37). Similarly, no statistically significant differences were found between groups for BFP and HRQoL.

Conclusions: Low-volume HIIT program has no quantitative advantage compared with that resulting from MICT, in VO2max, BFP, and HRQoL. ClinicalTrials.gov Identifier: NCT03300895.

Keywords: Aerobic exercise; Body fat; Cardiorespiratory fitness; HRQoL; Interval training; Randomized controlled trial (RCT).

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Conflict of interest statement

None.

Figures

Fig. 1
Fig. 1
Participant enrollment flow diagram.
See this image and copyright information in PMC

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