Effects of low-volume, high-intensity interval training on maximal oxygen consumption, body fat percentage and health-related quality of life in women with overweight: A randomized controlled trial

Background: Several investigations suggest that high-intensity interval training (HILT) provokes larger changes in VO2max compared to moderate-intensity continuous training (MICT); other studies associate HILT with significant decreases in total, abdominal and visceral fat mass. However, some meta-analyses express that the enhancements with HILT on VO2max are slightly higher concerning MICT. These studies had low-to-moderate methodological quality, and the exercise protocols were completed mostly on treadmills or cycle ergometers. Thus, the objective of this study was to compare the effect of a low-volume HILT versus a MICT program on VO2max body fat percentage (BFP), and health-related quality of life (HRQoL) in overweight women. It followed a research protocol with high methodological rigor and good reporting quality. Methods: After two physical adaptation weeks (run-in period), thirty-five volunteers were randomized to HILT (n = 16) or MICT (n = 19). Both groups performed 24 sessions on a grass sports field (walking, jogging or running). The HILT group completed 15 bouts of 30 s [90-95%, maximal heart rate (HRmax)], while the MICT group completed 30 min of continuous exercise (65-75% HRmax). Results: The difference between HILT and MICT post-intervention on VO2max was not statistically significant (0.8 ml/kg/min. CI 95%, -1.0 to 2.7, p = 0.37). Similarly, no statistically significant differences were found between groups for BFP and HRQoL. Conclusions: Low-volume HILT program has no quantitative advantage compared with that resulting from MICT, in VO2max, BFP, and HRQoL. (C) 2022 The Society of Chinese Scholars on Exercise Physiology and Fitness. Published by Elsevier (Singapore) Pte Ltd.