Related Experiment Video
Updated: Nov 3, 2025
Author Spotlight: Exploring the Impact of Reduced Resistance Exercise Volume on Metabolic Health
Published on: December 1, 2023
Carbohydrate Restriction with or without Exercise Training Improves Blood Pressure and Insulin Sensitivity in
Shengyan Sun1, Zhaowei Kong2, Qingde Shi3
1Institute of Physical Education, Huzhou University, Huzhou 313000, China.
Objective:
The purpose of this study was to evaluate the effects of a 4-week low-carbohydrate diet (LC) with or without exercise training on cardiometabolic health-related profiles in overweight/obese women.
Methods:
Fifty overweight/obese Chinese women (age: 22.2 ± 3.3 years, body mass index (BMI): 25.1 ± 3.1 kg·m-2) were randomized to either a LC control group (LC-CON, n = 16), a LC and high-intensity interval training group (LC-HIIT, n = 17), or a LC and moderate-intensity continuous training group (LC-MICT, n = 17). All groups consumed LC for 4 weeks, while the LC-HIIT and LC-MICT groups followed an additional five sessions of HIIT (10 × 6 s cycling sprints and 9 s rest intervals, 2.5 min in total) or MICT (cycling continuously at 50-60% of peak oxygen uptake (VO2peak) for 30 min) weekly. Blood pressure, fasting glucose, insulin sensitivity, and several metabolic or appetite regulating hormones were measured before and after intervention.
Results:
Significant reductions in body weight (- ~2.5 kg, p < 0.001, η = 0.772) and BMI (- ~1 unit, p < 0.001, η = 0.782) were found in all groups. Systolic blood pressure was reduced by 5-6 mmHg (p < 0.001, η = 0.370); fasting insulin, leptin, and ghrelin levels were also significantly decreased (p < 0.05), while insulin sensitivity was improved. However, there were no significant changes in fasting glucose, glucagon, and gastric inhibitory peptide levels. Furthermore, no group differences were found among the three groups, suggesting that extra training (i.e., LC-HIIT and LC-MICT) failed to trigger additional effects on these cardiometabolic profiles.
Conclusions:
The short-term carbohydrate restriction diet caused significant weight loss and improved blood pressure and insulin sensitivity in the overweight/obese women, although the combination with exercise training had no additional benefits on the examined cardiometabolic profiles. Moreover, the long-term safety and effectiveness of LC needs further study.
More Related Videos
12:59Improving Strength, Power, Muscle Aerobic Capacity, and Glucose Tolerance through Short-term Progressive Strength Training Among Elderly People
Published on: July 5, 2017
06:28A Chronic High-Intensity Interval Training and Diet-Induced Obesity Model to Maximize Exercise Effort and Induce Physiologic Changes in Rats
Published on: April 28, 2023
Related Concept Videos
01:36Carbohydrate Metabolism
Starch accounts for approximately 60% of the carbohydrates consumed by humans. Since amylase enzymes cannot function in the stomach's acidic environment, starch can only be digested in the mouth and small intestine. Simple sugars are found naturally in milk and fruits in...
01:26Oral Hypoglycemic Agents: Biguanides and Glitazones
01:22Diabetes Mellitus: Type 2 and Gestational
01:15Diabetes: Management and Pharmacotherapy
Insulin remains the cornerstone of treatment for most patients with type 1 and many...
01:19Overview of Carbohydrate Metabolism
Glucose transport into cells is facilitated by a family of transport proteins called GLUT (Glucose Transporters). GLUT4 is the primary glucose transporter for insulin-stimulated glucose...
01:26Atherosclerosis III: Management