Low-volume high-intensity interval training improves cardiometabolic health, work ability and well-being in severely obese individuals: a randomized-controlled trial sub-study

Abstract

Background Obesity is associated with impaired health and lower work ability. Increased physical activity is a cornerstone in the treatment of obesity and related risk factors. Recently, high-intensity interval training (HIIT) has emerged as a popular exercise option. However, data regarding the effects on cardiometabolic health, perceived work ability and well-being in severely obese individuals are lacking. Methods Sixty-five obese individuals with sedentary occupation (48.7 ± 9.9 years, BMI: 39.6 ± 7.1 kg/m2) were randomly allocated to an extremely time-efficient HIIT (5 × 1 min at 80–95% maximal heart rate on cycle ergometers, 2×/week for 12 weeks) or an inactive control group (CON). Both groups received nutritional counseling to support weight loss. Primary outcome was maximal oxygen uptake (VO2max), secondary outcomes were cardiometabolic risk indices, body composition, work ability index (WAI), quality of life (QoL, EQ-5D-5L-questionnaire) and perceived stress (PSQ-questionnaire). Results Mean body weight reduction was 5.3 kg [95% confidence interval (95% CI) − 7.3 to − 3.3 kg] in the HIIT group (P < 0.001) and 3.7 kg (95% CI − 5.3 to − 2.1 kg) in CON (P < 0.001), respectively. Only the HIIT group showed significant (P < 0.001) changes in VO2max [+ 3.5 mL/kg/min (95% CI 2.5 to 4.6 mL/kg/min)], waist circumference [–7.5 cm (95% CI − 9.8 to − 5.1 kg)], mean arterial blood pressure [− 11 mmHg (95% CI − 14 to − 8 mmHg)], WAI [+ 3.0 points (95% CI 1.7 to 4.3 points)] and QoL [+ 10% (95% CI 5 to 16%)]. In CON, none of these parameters improved significantly. Conclusions Low-volume HIIT may induce significant improvements in cardiometabolic health, especially VO2max, WAI and well-being in obese individuals after only 12 weeks. Our results underpin the wide range of benefits on health and subjective measures through exercise that go well beyond simple weight loss through dietary restriction alone. Trial registration: ClinicalTrials.gov Id: NCT03306069. Registered 10 October 2017, https://clinicaltrials.gov/ct2/show/NCT03306069.

Iron Beats Electricity: Resistance Training but Not Whole-Body Electromyostimulation Improves Cardiometabolic Health in Obese Metabolic Syndrome Patients during Caloric Restriction—A Randomized-Controlled Study

“…In accordance with previous research investigating the effects of exercise interventions on cardiometabolic health status in obese MetS patients [25,26], the observed MetS z-score improvement following RT was in large part due to a significant reduction in blood pressure. Given that a systolic blood pressure reduction of 10 mmHg has been associated with a lowered risk of CVD and mortality by 20% and 13%, respectively [71], the blood pressure changes in both RT groups are very likely to provide clinically meaningful benefits, comparable to effects achieved with pharmacological antihypertensive treatments [72].…”

“…Accordingly, the development of more time-efficient exercise strategies for improving health outcomes has increasingly moved into the focus of research. Recent studies have shown, for example, that low-volume high-intensity interval training (HIIT), a particularly time-efficient type of cardiovascular training, can significantly enhance cardiometabolic risk profile in obese patients with MetS, despite considerably lower time effort compared to conventional aerobic exercise modalities [ 25 , 26 ].…”

Impact on Health-Related Quality of Life after Different Aerobic Exercise Programs in Physically Inactive Adults with Overweight/Obesity and Primary Hypertension: Data from the EXERDIET-HTA Study

“…After analyzing the health-related mental domain, the low-volume HIIT program was the only group improving the “social functioning” (↑6.9%) and “mental health” (↑6.4%) items at follow-up. Recent investigation has shown very good results in individuals with severe obesity after performing a low-volume HIIT program for 12 weeks inducing significant improvements in QoL [ 40 ]. Thus, low-volume HIIT programs are emerging as a high level of acceptance, as long as feasible, time-efficient, effective, and enjoyable exercise programs in overweight/obese and inactive populations [ 41 ].…”

Effect of Real-Time Online High-Intensity Interval Training on Physiological and Physical Parameters for Abdominally Obese Women: A Randomized Pilot Study

“…In addition, it was said that high-intensity exercise for more than 75 min helps reduce fat, and non-face-to-face participation in exercise can be an alternative [18]. The HIIT effect is already known through previous studies [19][20][21]. However, there are very few cases of online HIIT in the COVID-19 situation.…”