Effectiveness of Continuous Aerobic Versus High-Intensity Interval Training on Atherosclerotic and Inflammatory Markers in Boys With Overweight/Obesity

Purpose: Atherosclerosis is a complex multifactorial disease whose first steps can be initiated from childhood. Therefore, we examined the effects of 2 training models on salusins levels, inflammatory markers, and lipid profile in boys with overweight/obesity. Method: Forty-five boys with overweight/obesity with the mean age of 11.06 (1.0) years were randomly divided into three groups of 15: a high-intensity interval training (HIIT) group (100%-110% of maximum aerobic speed); an aerobic training group (40%-70% of heart rate reserve); and a control group. The intervention included 3 sessions per week for 12 weeks. Results: Findings showed significant improvements in serum levels of salusins, salusins ratio, interleukin-6 (IL-6), and total cholesterol (TC) in both training groups (P < .001). Also, the serum levels of C-reactive protein (CRP), triglycerides (TG), low-density lipoprotein cholesterol (LDL), high-density lipoprotein cholesterol (HDL), atherogenic index of plasma (AIP), and cholesterol index improved significantly (P < .01). Except for the TG, HIIT caused higher improvements than aerobic training (P < .001 for salusin-alpha, salusins ratio, IL-6, CRP, TC, HDL, AIP, and cholesterol index; and P < .01 for salusin-beta and LDL). Conclusion: The present study shows that HIIT has more positive effects than aerobic exercise on the atherosclerotic and inflammatory factors, as well as lipid profile variables in children with overweight/obesity.

Automated summary

The study demonstrates that high-intensity interval training (HIIT) has more positive effects than aerobic exercise on atherosclerotic, inflammatory factors, and lipid profile variables in overweight/obese children.