Effects of 16-week high-intensity interval training using upper and lower body ergometers on aerobic fitness and morphological changes in healthy men: a preliminary study

Abstract

It is unclear whether combined leg and arm high-intensity interval training (HIIT) improves fitness and morphological characteristics equal to those of leg-based HIIT programs. The aim of this study was to compare the effects of HIIT using leg-cycling (LC) and arm-cranking (AC) ergometers with an HIIT program using only LC. Effects on aerobic capacity and skeletal muscle were analyzed. Twelve healthy male subjects were assigned into two groups. One performed LC-HIIT (n=7) and the other LC- and AC-HIIT (n=5) twice weekly for 16 weeks. The training programs consisted of eight to 12 sets of >90% VO2 (the oxygen uptake that can be utilized in one minute) peak for 60 seconds with a 60-second active rest period. VO2 peak, watt peak, and heart rate were measured during an LC incremental exercise test. The cross-sectional area (CSA) of trunk and thigh muscles as well as bone-free lean body mass were measured using magnetic resonance imaging and dual-energy X-ray absorptiometry. The watt peak increased from baseline in both the LC (23%±38%; P<0.05) and the LC–AC groups (11%±9%; P<0.05). The CSA of the quadriceps femoris muscles also increased from baseline in both the LC (11%±4%; P<0.05) and the LC–AC groups (5%±5%; P<0.05). In contrast, increases were observed in the CSA of musculus psoas major (9%±11%) and musculus anterolateral abdominal (7%±4%) only in the LC–AC group. These results suggest that a combined LC- and AC-HIIT program improves aerobic capacity and muscle hypertrophy in both leg and trunk muscles.

Potential Universal Application of High-intensity Interval Training from Athletes and Sports Lovers to Patients

“…However, as in our preliminary study, 20 because of its high-intensity nature, HIIT can promote muscle hypertrophy in the lower legs and possibly in the trunk. 24,26,27 …”

“…In our preliminary study, 20 an average gain of 6 mL/min.kg (1.7 Mets) of VO 2 was observed, which was mathematically associated with a 25% and a 32% lower risk of all-cause and cardiovascular disease mortality, respectively. 23 A recent meta-analysis for HIIT in patients with lifestyle-induced cardio-metabolic disease examined the efficacy and safety of HIIT for improving aerobic fitness compared with moderate-intensity continuous training.…”

“…20 The CSA of the quadriceps femoris muscles also increased from baseline in both the LC (11% ± 4%; P < 0.05) and the LC-AC groups (5% ± 5%; P < 0.05). 20 Moreover, increases were also observed in the CSA of the psoas major muscle (9% ± 11%) and anterolateral abdominal muscle (7% ± 4%) in the LC-AC group.…”

“…20 The CSA of the quadriceps femoris muscles also increased from baseline in both the LC (11% ± 4%; P < 0.05) and the LC-AC groups (5% ± 5%; P < 0.05). 20 Moreover, increases were also observed in the CSA of the psoas major muscle (9% ± 11%) and anterolateral abdominal muscle (7% ± 4%) in the LC-AC group. 20 These case reports confirmed that HIIT is a time-efficient and very effective training option for simultaneously increasing aerobic fitness and muscle hypertrophy because of its high-intensity nature.…”

“…20 One group performed HIIT using only a leg ergometer (LC-HIIT [N = 7]), and the other group performed HIIT using both leg and arm ergometers (LC-and AC-HIIT [N = 5]) twice weekly for 16 weeks. The training programs consisted of 8 to 12 sets of 90% VO 2 peak for 1 minute with a 1-minute very light active recovery.…”