A Comparison of High-intensity Interval and Moderate Intensity Continuous Training on Glucose Regulation in Sedentary, Obese Individuals

Authors

Sophia R. Mirth, Point Loma Nazarene UniversityFollow
Brandon J. Sawyer, Point Loma Nazarene UniversityFollow
Dharini M. Bhammer, Ohio State UniversityFollow
Glenn A. Gaesser, Arizona State UniversityFollow

Abstract

It is well known that exercise is beneficial in the prevention of type 2 diabetes (T2D) but the ideal type of training is not clear. PURPOSE: To compare the effects of high-intensity interval training (HIIT) and moderate-intensity continuous training (MICT) on blood glucose regulation in sedentary, obese adults. METHODS: 22 sedentary, obese individuals were randomized into either HIIT or MICT. Each group exercised on a cycle ergometer 3 times/wk for 8 wks. The HIIT group performed 10, 1 min intervals at 90-95% HR_max with 1 min rest intervals in between. The MICT group performed 30 min of continuous work at 70-75% HR_max. Pre- and post-intervention testing consisted of 24-hour continuous glucose monitoring (CGM), VO_2max, and anthropometric measurements. Glucose variability was calculated by multiple methods. Linear mixed models and 2-way ANOVA were used to measure differences between groups over time in the CGM values and glucose variability measures. RESULTS: Fifteen subjects finished the study, (8 = HIIT; 7 = MICT). There was a significant increase in VO_2max (P = 0.01) and decrease in body fat percentage (P < 0.01) but no group x time interactions. There were no significant changes in variability measures, but a significant group x time interaction was found with the mixed models in blood glucose showing a greater effect of HIIT (P = 0.002). When the two-way ANOVA was run including only subjects with a baseline average 24-hour glucose level above 100 mg/dL (HIIT = 5; MICT = 4), there were significant differences (p < 0.05) found between pre-training and post-training, but not between training groups in the variability measurements (CONGA, J-Index, HBGI, M Value). In this same subset of subjects the mixed model analysis showed a significant group x time interaction for glucose demonstrating that HIIT improved glycemic control more than MICT (P < 0.001). CONCLUSION: Both HIIT and MICT can improve glycemic control with a potentially more powerful effect in response to HIIT in individuals with a higher 24-hour average blood glucose. This implies that HIIT may provide a time-efficient way to reduce glycemic control and slow the progression of disease especially in individuals who are farther along in the progression of type 2 diabetes.

Recommended Citation

Mirth, Sophia R.; Sawyer, Brandon J.; Bhammer, Dharini M.; and Gaesser, Glenn A. (2021) "A Comparison of High-intensity Interval and Moderate Intensity Continuous Training on Glucose Regulation in Sedentary, Obese Individuals," International Journal of Exercise Science: Conference Proceedings: Vol. 14: Iss. 1, Article 96.
Available at: https://digitalcommons.wku.edu/ijesab/vol14/iss1/96