Cited by 799Cardiovascular and exercise physiologyPhysical Activity and HealthSports Performance and Training

Effects of high-intensity interval training on cardiometabolic health: a systematic review and meta-analysis of intervention studies

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Batacan, Romeo B, Duncan, Mitch J, Dalbo, Vincent J, Tucker, Patrick S, Fenning, Andrew S·2017·British Journal of Sports Medicine

Abstract

The current review clarifies the cardiometabolic health effects of high-intensity interval training (HIIT) in adults. A systematic search (PubMed) examining HIIT and cardiometabolic health markers was completed on 15 October 2015. Sixty-five intervention studies were included for review and the methodological quality of included studies was assessed using the Downs and Black score. Studies were classified by intervention duration and body mass index classification. Outcomes with at least 5 effect sizes were synthesised using a random-effects meta-analysis of the standardised mean difference (SMD) in cardiometabolic health markers (baseline to postintervention) using Review Manager 5.3. Short-term (ST) HIIT (<12 weeks) significantly improved maximal oxygen uptake (VO 2 max; SMD 0.74, 95% CI 0.36 to 1.12; p<0.001), diastolic blood pressure (DBP; SMD −0.52, 95% CI −0.89 to −0.16; p<0.01) and fasting glucose (SMD −0.35, 95% CI −0.62 to −0.09; p<0.01) in overweight/obese populations. Long-term (LT) HIIT (≥12 weeks) significantly improved waist circumference (SMD −0.20, 95% CI −0.38 to −0.01; p<0.05), % body fat (SMD −0.40, 95% CI −0.74 to −0.06; p<0.05), VO 2 max (SMD 1.20, 95% CI 0.57 to 1.83; p<0.001), resting heart rate (SMD −0.33, 95% CI −0.56 to −0.09; p<0.01), systolic blood pressure (SMD −0.35, 95% CI −0.60 to −0.09; p<0.01) and DBP (SMD −0.38, 95% CI −0.65 to −0.10; p<0.01) in overweight/obese populations. HIIT demonstrated no effect on insulin, lipid profile, C reactive protein or interleukin 6 in overweight/obese populations. In normal weight populations, ST-HIIT and LT-HIIT significantly improved VO 2 max, but no other significant effects were observed. Current evidence suggests that ST-HIIT and LT-HIIT can increase VO 2 max and improve some cardiometabolic risk factors in overweight/obese populations.

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  • High-intensity interval training and studies of intermittent stair climbing have shown that VPA bursts lasting 20 s to a few minutes, performed three to five times a day, can result in substantial improvements in cardiorespiratory fitness in previously inactive adults within a few weeks.

    “High-intensity interval training40 and studies of intermittent stair climbing39 have shown that VPA bursts lasting 20 s to a few minutes, performed three to five times a day, can result in substantial improvements in cardiorespiratory fitness in previously inactive adults within a few weeks, providing a plausible physiological basis14 for the associations we observed.”
  • Meta-analyses of exercise trials have reported vigorous intensity bouts in three to four repetitions done three to five times a week enhances vascular function through cardiorespiratory fitness and autonomic adaptations, which is superior to continuous moderate intensity.

    “Meta-analyses of exercise trials have reported vigorous intensity bouts in three to four repetitions done three to five times a week enhances vascular function through cardiorespiratory fitness and autonomic adaptations, which is superior to continuous moderate intensity.35”

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  1. Colombo CM, Macedo RMD, Fernandes-Silva MM, et al. Short-term effects of moderate intensity physical activity in patients with metabolic syndrome. Einstein (São Paulo) 2013;11:324-30.
  2. Newell SA, Bowman JA, Cockburn JD. Can compliance with nonpharmacologic treatments for cardiovascular disease be improved? Am J Prev Med 2000;18:253-61.
  3. Batacan RB, et al. Br J Sports Med 2017;51:494-503. doi:10.1136/bjsports-2015-095841 on July 21, 2023 by guest. Protected by copyright. http://bjsm.bmj.com/ Br J Sports Med: first published as 10.1136/bjsports-2015-095841 on 20 October 2016. Downloaded from
  4. Gibala M. Molecular responses to high-intensity interval exercise. Appl Physiol Nutr Metab 2009;34:428-32. 112

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Authors
Batacan, R. B., Duncan, M. J., Dalbo, V. J., Tucker, P. S., & Fenning, A. S.
Affiliations
  • Central Queensland University (AU)
  • University of Newcastle Australia (AU)
Corresponding author
Fenning, Andrew S
Venue
British Journal of Sports Medicine
Publisher
BMJ
Published
2016-10-20
Volume
51
Issue
6
Pages
494-503
ISSN
  • 0306-3674 (ISSN-L)
  • 1473-0480
OpenAlex
W2533247860
Cited by
799
References
131
Citations by year
2026: 66 · 2025: 82 · 2024: 90 · 2023: 107 · 2022: 107 · 2021: 102 · 2020: 91 · 2019: 74 · 2018: 70 · 2017: 9
FWCI
11.31
Type
journal article
Language
en
Open access
Locations
  • British Journal of Sports Medicine (publishedVersion)
  • PubMed (publishedVersion)
  • Acquire (CQUniversity) (submittedVersion)
  • Figshare (submittedVersion, cc-by)
  • HighWire Press Open Archive (submittedVersion)
  • NOVA (University of Newcastle Australia) (submittedVersion)
Funders
  • National Heart Foundation of Australia (ID: 100029, 100029)
  • Central Queensland University
Topics
  • Health Sciences › Medicine › Complementary and alternative medicine › Cardiovascular and exercise physiology
  • Health Sciences › Medicine › Physiology › Physical Activity and Health
  • Health Sciences › Medicine › Orthopedics and Sports Medicine › Sports Performance and Training
Keywords
high-intensity interval training, cardiometabolic health, VO2max, blood pressure, fasting blood glucose, waist circumference, body fat percentage, resting heart rate, overweight and obesity, lipid profile, C-reactive protein, interleukin-6, insulin, inflammatory markers, cardiorespiratory fitness, insulin sensitivity, body composition, serum lipids
MeSH terms
High-Intensity Interval Training, Adult, Aged, Blood Glucose, Blood Pressure, Cardiovascular Diseases, Clinical Trials as Topic, Female, Humans, Male, Metabolic Diseases, Middle Aged, Obesity, Oxygen Consumption, Overweight, Lipid Metabolism, Waist Circumference, Young Adult

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