Effects of a high-intensity intermittent training program on aerobic capacity and lipid profile in trained subjects

Abstract

BackgroundData regarding the effect of training on plasma lipids are controversial. Most studies have addressed continuous or long intermittent training programs. The present study evaluated the effect of short-short high-intensity intermittent training (HIIT) on aerobic capacity and plasma lipids in soccer players.MethodsThe study included 24 male subjects aged 21–26 years, divided into three groups: experimental group 1 (EG1, n=8) comprising soccer players who exercised in addition to regular short-short HIIT twice a week for 12 weeks; experimental group 2 (EG2, n=8) comprising soccer players who exercised in a regular football training program; and a control group (CG, n=8) comprising untrained subjects who did not practice regular physical activity. Maximal aerobic velocity and maximal oxygen uptake along with plasma lipids were measured before and after 6 weeks and 12 weeks of the respective training program.ResultsCompared with basal values, maximal oxygen uptake had significantly increased in EG1 (from 53.3±4.0 mL/min/kg to 54.8±3.0 mL/min/kg at 6 weeks [P<0.05] and to 57.0±3.2 mL/min/kg at 12 weeks [P<0.001]). Maximal oxygen uptake was increased only after 12 weeks in EG2 (from 52.8±2.7 mL/min/kg to 54.2±2.6 mL/min/kg, [P<0.05]), but remain unchanged in CG. After 12 weeks of training, maximal oxygen uptake was significantly higher in EG1 than in EG2 (P<0.05). During training, no significant changes in plasma lipids occurred. However, after 12 weeks, total and low-density lipoprotein cholesterol levels had decreased (by about 2%) in EG1 but increased in CG. High-density lipoprotein cholesterol levels increased in EG1 and EG2, but decreased in CG. Plasma triglycerides decreased by 8% in EG1 and increased by about 4% in CG.ConclusionTwelve weeks of short-short HIIT improves aerobic capacity. Although changes in the lipid profile were not significant after this training program, they may have a beneficial impact on health.

Iron, Hematological Parameters and Blood Plasma Lipid Profile in Vitamin D Supplemented and Non-Supplemented Young Soccer Players Subjected to High-Intensity Interval Training

“…Moreover, the plasma lipid changes, including HDL-C, did not differ between SG and PG. Several studies have looked into the effect of intermittent training on total cholesterol, HDL-C, LDL-C, TG (30)(31)(32)(33)(34)(35)53) or VLDL, HDL and LDL lipoprotein particles (36). HIIT was shown to activate AMP-activated protein kinase (AMPK) and p38 mitogen-activated protein kinase (MAPK), thereby increasing the capacity for glucose and fatty acid oxidation (54,55).…”

“…Nonetheless, no effects on HDL-C or TG were demonstrated in a similar study (1 : 1 work : rest, interval time 4 min) by Thomas et al (57). Recently, Ouerghi et al (34) examined the effect of a 12-wk short-short (15 : 15 s) high-intensity intermittent training protocol on lipid profile and aerobic capacity in soccer players. Although not significant, TG decreased by 8%, while total and LDL cholesterol fell by 2%.…”

“…Several studies have looked into the effect of intermittent training on total cholesterol, HDL-C, LDL-C, TG (30)(31)(32)(33)(34)(35) or VLDL, HDL and LDL lipoprotein particles (36). However, only a few studies examined the effect of interval training on iron metabolism.…”

Myocardial Adaptation to High-Intensity (Interval) Training in Previously Untrained Men With a Longitudinal Cardiovascular Magnetic Resonance Imaging Study (Running Study and Heart Trial)

“…Four-, 3-, and 2-chamber long-and short-axis cine images were acquired by using breath-hold balanced steady-state free-precession sequences with retrospective electrocardiographic gating with the following scan parameters: field of view, 215 to 265×300 to 340 mm 2 LGE images were acquired using segmented T1-weighted gradientecho inversion-recovery sequence with phase-sensitive reconstruction in the same views used for cine images. 17 The inversion time was individually adapted to optimize the suppression of the signal of normal myocardium (range: inversion time, 230-290 ms).…”

High intensity interval training favourably affects antioxidant and inflammation mRNA expression in early-stage chronic kidney disease

“…It has been proposed that chronic high-intensity interval training (HIIT) (≈85% VO 2max ) may elicit greater health benefits than traditional chronic aerobic exercise. Reasons for this supposition include improvements in SOD activity [11], aerobic capacity [15], blood lipids [16], and blood pressure [17] that are more remarkable when exercise is performed at higher intensities.…”