Aerobic interval training reduces cardiovascular risk factors more than a multitreatment approach in overweight adolescents

Abstract

The aim of the present study was to compare the effects of a multidisciplinary approach (MTG) and aerobic interval training (AIT) on cardiovascular risk factors in overweight adolescents. A total of 62 overweight and obese adolescents from Trøndelag County in Norway, referred to medical treatment at St Olav's Hospital, Trondheim, Norway, were invited to participate. Of these, 54 adolescents (age, 14.0 +/- 0.3 years) were randomized to either AIT (4 x 4 min intervals at 90% of maximal heart rate, each interval separated by 3 min at 70%, twice a week for 3 months) or to MTG (exercise, dietary and psychological advice, twice a month for 12 months). Follow-up testing occurred at 3 and 12 months. VO(2max) (maximal oxygen uptake) increased more after AIT compared with MTG, both at 3 months (11 compared with 0%; P<0.01) and 12 months (12 compared with -1%; P<0.01). AIT enhanced endothelial function compared with MTG at both 3 months (absolute change, 5.1 compared with 3.9%; P<0.01) and 12 months (absolute change, 6.3 compared with 1.0%; P<0.01). AIT was favourable compared with MTG in reducing BMI (body mass index), percentage of fat, MAP (mean arterial blood pressure) and increasing peak oxygen pulse. In addition, AIT induced a more favourable regulation of blood glucose and insulin compared with MTG. In conclusion, the novel findings of the present proof-of-concept study was that 3 months of twice weekly high-intensity exercise sessions reduced several known cardiovascular risk factors in obese adolescents more than that observed after a multitreatment strategy, which was initiated as hospital treatment. Follow-up at 12 months confirmed that AIT improved or maintained these risk factors to a better degree than MTG.

Childhood obesity–related endothelial dysfunction: an update on pathophysiological mechanisms and diagnostic advancements

“…We believe that thorough evaluation of the endothelial status in large-scale multicenter trials can create a setting enabling the further optimization of training protocols for obese children. One of these training modalities could be aerobic interval training, since data indicate that this type of training is superior in reversing endothelial dysfunction in children (92). Although the participation of children in clinical studies raises several ethical concerns (93), we hope that researchers will continue the fight against childhood obesity.…”

Fasting plasma glucose and lipid profiles of diabetic patients improve with aerobic exercise training

“…A significant 4.08kg/m 2 (7.3%) decrease was observed in the BMI of the participants as reported in previous studies with the same principles but longer duration. 43,44 This study shows that FPG reduced by 43.5% (5.28mmol/l) after eight weeks aerobic exercise training which is significantly different from the FPG of the control group (tables 2 & 3). This is in line with earlier studies where six months continuous aerobic exercise training were reported to significantly reduce the mean of FPG as compared to non-exercisers.…”

Erratum to: Exercise Therapy in the Management of Solid Tumors

“…The extant literature indicates that, in general, regular physical activity is associated with 15% to 61% reduction in the risk of death from breast or colorectal cancer (Table 1) [83][84][85][86][87]. Of interest, the association between physical activity and cancer-specific mortality is not uniform, which appears to vary according to volume of physical activity and even cancer type.…”

“…Of particular interest is highintensity exercise training. Several recent randomized trials have demonstrated that the high-intensity aerobic training (i.e., ‡75% of baseline exercise capacity) causes superior improvements in VO 2peak relative to low-or moderate-intensity exercise training in patients with or at risk of CVD [81][82][83]. However, there is a dearth of data regarding effects of exercise intensity following a cancer diagnosis [79].…”