Effect of HIIT Training Modality in People with Pre-Diabetes

Area of Science:

• Endocrinology
• Cardiology
• Exercise Physiology

Background:

• Prediabetes signifies elevated blood glucose and insulin resistance, escalating risks for type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM) and cardiovascular disease.
• High-intensity interval training (HIIT) is recognized for enhancing insulin sensitivity and cardiorespiratory fitness.
• Non-pharmacological interventions are crucial for managing prediabetes and preventing T2DM progression.

Purpose of the Study:

• To evaluate the effects of HIIT, alone or combined with a hypocaloric diet, on metabolic and cardiorespiratory parameters in prediabetic individuals.
• To compare the efficacy of combined HIIT and hypocaloric diet versus HIIT alone or diet alone.

Main Methods:

• A 13-week, single-blind, controlled intervention study involving 68 adults with prediabetes.
• Participants were randomized into three groups: HIIT plus hypocaloric diet, HIIT only, or hypocaloric diet only.
• Pre- and post-intervention assessments included glucose levels, VO2max, blood pressure, and FINDRISC score.

Main Results:

• Significant improvements were observed across groups in body mass index, VO2max, fasting glucose, systolic blood pressure, and diabetes risk.
• The HIIT plus hypocaloric diet group demonstrated the most substantial improvements in all measured parameters.
• Specifically, this group experienced significant reductions in fasting glucose and systolic blood pressure, alongside a notable increase in VO2max.

Conclusions:

• Combining HIIT with a hypocaloric diet represents an effective and safe strategy for prediabetes management.
• This combined approach yields superior improvements in cardiorespiratory fitness, glycemic control, and diabetes risk reduction compared to individual interventions.
• The findings support the integration of HIIT and dietary changes for comprehensive prediabetes care.