Hybrid Neuromuscular Training Improves Cardiometabolic Health and Alters Redox Status in Inactive Overweight and Obese Women: A Randomized Controlled Trial

Abstract

This randomized controlled trial investigated the effects of a 5-month high-intensity hybrid-type neuromuscular training program with nontraditional implements on cardiometabolic health, redox status, and cardiovascular disease (CVD) risk in inactive overweight and obese women. Forty-nine inactive female participants with overweight and obesity (age: 36.4 ± 4.4 years; BMI: 29.1 ± 2.9 kg/m2) were randomly assigned to either a control (C, n = 21) or a training group (TR, n = 28). TR followed a 20-week supervised, progressive, time-efficient (3 days/week; 6–15 min net exercise time) program implementing loaded fundamental movement patterns with prescribed work-to-rest time intervals (20–40 s, 1:2, 1:1, 2:1) in a circuit fashion (2–3 rounds). Cardiometabolic risk factors were measured at baseline and post-training as secondary outcomes of a larger randomized controlled trial. At post-intervention, TR demonstrated favorable changes in resting heart rate (−7%, p = 0.043), high-density lipoprotein (+18.1%, p = 0.029), atherogenic index (−17%, p = 0.045), mean arterial pressure (−4.5%, p = 0.03), waist circumference (−6.2%, p = 0.005), waist-to-hip ratio (−4.6%; p = 0.015), metabolic syndrome severity score (−222%, p = 0.024), full 30-year CVD risk (−15.8%, p = 0.002) and hard 30-year CVD risk (−17.6%, p = 0.01), vascular age (−7.8%, p = 0.002), protein carbonyls (−45.7%, p = 0.001), catalase activity (+15.2%, p = 0.023), and total antioxidant capacity (+11.4%, p = 0.002) relative to C. Additionally, TR induced beneficial changes in fasting glucose (−3.4%, p = 0.002), homeostatic model assessment for insulin resistance (−15.7%, p < 0.001), diastolic blood pressure (−5.6%, p < 0.001), reduced glutathione (+39.8%, p < 0.001), 10-year CVD risk (−17.4%, p = 0.011), and total bilirubin (−21.7%, p < 0.001) compared to baseline. These results suggest that hybrid-type neuromuscular training may improve aspects of cardiometabolic health and antioxidant status in inactive overweight and obese women providing a time-efficient (~100 min/week) exercise approach in a real-world gym setting.

Comparative Efficacy of 5 Exercise Types on Cardiometabolic Health in Overweight and Obese Adults: A Systematic Review and Network Meta-Analysis of 81 Randomized Controlled Trials

“…122 Considering that HYB significantly reduced FG and it was also the most effective mode in lowering abdominal adiposity (eg, WC and WHR) in this NMA, it renders it as a potentially important modality for glycemic control in adults with overweight/obesity. 20,128 These findings are supported by the fact that abdominal obesity is highly correlated with impaired glycemic control due to the increased visceral fat accumulation. 126 Thus, HYB seems to enhance potential fat redistribution in adults with obesity to a greater extent when compared with other exercise types.…”

“…138 Specifically, exercise training is involved in reductions of systemic vascular resistance, plasma noradrenaline levels, and plasma renin activity. 139 These results that suggest a superiority of CT, HYB, and INT over CET and RT in improving resting blood pressure, are supported by the improved endothelial function, autonomic regulation, and reduced oxidative stress seen in response to CT, 140 HYB, 89,128 RT, 141 and INT. 131…”

Psychological Adaptations to High-Intensity Interval Training in Overweight and Obese Adults: A Topical Review

“…HIIT has also been reported as a well-tolerated and accepted training modality for previously inactive overweight and obese adults [ 40 , 46 ]. HIIT-based regimens were associated with both marked increases in adherence rates and with meaningful improvements in exercise behavioral regulation in overweight/obese women following a 5-, 10-, and 12-month supervised, hybrid-type HIIT intervention [ 40 , 47 , 48 , 49 , 50 ]. In summary, an adherence rate of ≥80% was reported for both HIIT and MICT in 13 studies investigating the effects on body composition in overweight/obese individuals [ 51 ].…”

National Survey of Fitness Trends in Greece for 2023

“…Aiming to explain the popularity of the aforementioned trends related to fitness activities from a scientific standpoint, a large and convincing body of evidence reveals that a HIIT may be an injury-free, efficient, time-effective, and enjoyable type of exercise for improving metabolic health, physical fitness, and well-being in populations with unhealthy weight representing the vast majority of the adult population worldwide nowadays [30][31][32]. Additionally, emerging research demonstrates that hybrid-type exercise programs incorporating HIIT, functional fitness and body weight training into a single session performed in a small-group setting induce positive alterations in various psychophysiological markers [33][34][35][36][37] among overweight and obese populations. Interestingly, these particular populations are clearly highlighted in the present study since exercise for weight loss was ranked #5 for 2023.…”