Comparison of Three Popular Exercise Modalities on V˙O2max in Overweight and Obese

• Published in: Medicine and science in sports and exercise 2016-03, Vol.48 (3), p.491-498
• Main Authors: BÆKKERUD, FREDRIK HJULSTAD, SOLBERG, FREDERIC, LEINAN, INGEBORG MEGÅRD, WISLØFF, ULRIK, KARLSEN, TRINE, ROGNMO, ØIVIND
• Format: Article
• Language: English
• Subjects: Adaptation, Physiological; Adult; Blood Volume; Citrate (si)-Synthase - metabolism; Exercise - psychology; Exercise Test; Female; High-Intensity Interval Training - methods; Humans; Male; Middle Aged; Obesity - metabolism; Overweight - metabolism; Oxygen Consumption; Prospective Studies; Stroke Volume
• ISSN: 0195-9131; 1530-0315
• DOI: 10.1249/MSS.0000000000000777

INTRODUCTIONIn this prospective randomized trial, we examined the effect of three popular exercise training modalities on maximal oxygen uptake (V˙O2max) in overweight and obese individuals. In addition, we examined possible concomitant adaptations in endurance exercise performance (time to exhaustion (TTE)), citrate synthase (CS) activity, venous and arterial function, blood volume, and calculated stroke volume (SV). METHODSThirty subjects were recruited (age, 41 ± 9 yr; weight, 91 ± 14 kg; height, 173 ± 8 cm; body mass index, 30 ± 4 kg·m) and randomized to either 6 wk of 4 × 4-min high-intensity interval training (4HIIT) at 85%–95% of HRmax, 10 × 1-min HIIT (1HIIT) at V˙O2max load, or 45-min moderate-intensity continuous training (MICT) at 70% of HRmax. V˙O2max, TTE, CS activity, venous and arterial function, as well as blood volume were measured before and after the training period. O2 pulse was calculated and used to estimate SV. Analysis was conducted per protocol. RESULTSOnly 4HIIT increased V˙O2max (P < 0.01) and significantly more compared with 1HIIT (P = 0.04) and MICT (P = 0.03) (4HIIT, 10%; 1HIIT, 3.3%; and MICT, 3.1%). All groups increased TTE (4HIIT, 198%; 1HIIT, 116%; MICT, 52%), with a higher increase after 4HIIT compared with that after MICT (P = 0.02). Calculated SV increased only after 4HIIT (14.4%). Plasma volume and hemoglobin mass increased after 1HIIT only (5.6% and 6.5%); however, no group differences were found. All groups increased CS activity (4HIIT, 35%; 1HIIT, 35%; MICT, 56%), with no group differences. Arterial inflow (15.7%) and venous outflow (22.7%) decreased after MICT, but there were no group differences. CONCLUSIONS4HIIT was superior to 1HIIT and MICT in improving V˙O2max likely because of an increased SV.