Key result
Very low volume high-intensity interval training significantly improved maximal oxygen uptake by 3.1 mL/kg/min and reduced metabolic syndrome severity in obese patients compared to an inactive control.
Why the study?
Time commitment is a leading barrier to physical activity and safety concerns exist regarding vigorous exercise in high-risk groups with obesity and metabolic syndrome.
Does extremely low-volume high- or moderate-intensity interval training improve VO2max and cardiometabolic health in obese patients with metabolic syndrome?
RCT (n=117)
Single-blind
Computerized random number generator
No
Does extremely low-volume high- or moderate-intensity interval training improve VO2max and cardiometabolic health in obese patients with metabolic syndrome?
Mean Difference: 3.1
Absolute Event Rate: 3.1% vs -0.3%
p-value: p=<0.001
Extremely low-volume interval training (<30 min/week), even at moderate intensity, effectively improves cardiometabolic health and VO2max in obese patients with metabolic syndrome.
Low-volume interval training warrants consideration for obese MetS patients; extends RCT evidence to regimens under 30 min/week.
Physical activity is a cornerstone in the treatment of obesity and metabolic syndrome (MetS). Given the leading physical activity barrier of time commitment and safety concerns about vigorous exercise in high-risk groups, this study aimed to investigate the effects of two extremely time-efficient training protocols (< 30 min time effort per week), either performed as high- (HIIT) or moderate-intensity interval training (MIIT) over 12 weeks, in obese MetS patients. In total, 117 patients (49.8 ± 13.6 years, BMI: 38.2 ± 6.2 kg/m2) were randomized to HIIT (n = 40), MIIT (n = 37) or an inactive control group (n = 40). All groups received nutritional counseling to support weight loss. Maximal oxygen uptake (VO2max), MetS severity (MetS z-score), body composition and quality of life (QoL) were assessed pre-and post-intervention. All groups significantly reduced body weight (~ 3%) but only the exercise groups improved VO2max, MetS z-score and QoL. VO2max (HIIT: + 3.1 mL/kg/min, p < 0.001; MIIT: + 1.2 mL/kg/min, p < 0.05) and MetS z-score (HIIT: − 1.8 units, p < 0.001; MIIT: − 1.2 units, p < 0.01) improved in an exercise intensity-dependent manner. In conclusion, extremely low-volume interval training, even when done at moderate intensity, is sufficiently effective to improve cardiometabolic health in obese MetS patients. These findings underpin the crucial role of exercise in the treatment of obesity and MetS.
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Reljic et al. (2021) conducted an RCT in Obese metabolic syndrome (n=117). Very low volume high intensity interval training (HIIT) vs. Inactive control group was evaluated on Maximal oxygen uptake (VO2max) (MD 3.1, p=<0.001). Very low volume high-intensity interval training significantly improved maximal oxygen uptake by 3.1 mL/kg/min and reduced metabolic syndrome severity in obese patients compared to an inactive control.
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