Impact of long-term high-intensity interval and moderate-intensity continuous training on subclinical inflammation in overweight/obese adults

Abstract

Obesity is a risk factor able to trigger several inflammatory alterations and the imbalance between pro- and anti-inflammatory cytokine productions. Physical exercise is an important strategy for reduction of inflammatory established process. The aim of this study was to evaluate the effect of 16 weeks of three exercise training programs in the inflammatory profile and insulin resistance in overweight/obesity. Thirty two men and women (46.4±10.1 years; 162.0±9.1 cm; 82.0±13.6 kg) were divided into three groups for training on a treadmill: continuous at 70% maximum heart rate (HRmax) 5 times a week (CONT); 1×4 min (1-bout) and 4×4 min (high intensity interval training, HIIT) at 90% HRmax 3 times a week. Interleukin (IL) 6 and IL-10, tumor necrosis factor-alpha (TNF-α), insulin and adiponectin levels were analyzed by enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay, and homeostasis model assessment insulin resistance was calculated. After 16 weeks of training blood concentrations of IL-6 decreased in the HIIT group (P=0.035), TNF-α decreased in the CONT (P=0.037) and increased in HIIT (P=0.001) and adiponectin decreased in the three training models. There was a trend towards decreased body weight and body mass index (BMI) after HIIT only (P=0.059 and P=0.060, respectively). Despite the decrease of adiponectin and the increase of TNF-α in HIIT group, insulin sensitivity showed a trend for improvement (P=0.08). HIIT program decreased IL-6 at rest and although not significant was the only who tended to decrease total body weight and BMI. Taken together, our data suggest that both HIIT as well as CONT exercises training program promotes changes in inflammatory profile in overweight/obesity, but dissimilar response is seen in TNF-α levels.

High‐intensity interval and moderate‐intensity continuous training elicit similar enjoyment and adherence levels in overweight and obese adults

“…Some studies show decreases in CRP and IL-6 with 6 to 12 months of aerobic training in healthy and diseased samples, whereas others show no change in inflammation with training (Beavers, Brinkley, & Nicklas, 2010). To our knowledge, only four studies have examined the effects of HIIT on inflammation with conflicting findings (Elmer et al, 2015; Gerosa-Neto et al, 2016; Keating et al, 2014; Robinson, Durrer, Simtchouk, Jung, Bourne, Voth, & Little 2015). Three of the four studies report no changes in CRP, IL-6, IL-8, or TNF-α, whereas Gerosa-Neto et al (2016) report favourable changes in IL-6 and unfavourable changes in TNF-α and adiponectin with HIIT.…”

“…To our knowledge, only four studies have examined the effects of HIIT on inflammation with conflicting findings (Elmer et al, 2015; Gerosa-Neto et al, 2016; Keating et al, 2014; Robinson, Durrer, Simtchouk, Jung, Bourne, Voth, & Little 2015). Three of the four studies report no changes in CRP, IL-6, IL-8, or TNF-α, whereas Gerosa-Neto et al (2016) report favourable changes in IL-6 and unfavourable changes in TNF-α and adiponectin with HIIT. It is important to note that although IL-6 levels were increased in HIIT in the present study, IL-6 can be anti-inflammatory by acting to stimulate production of anti-inflammatory cytokines IL-1 receptor antagonist and IL-10, and supressing TNF-α through IL-6 dependent and independent pathways (Pederson and Pederson, 2005).…”

Exercise improves adiposopathy, insulin sensitivity and metabolic syndrome severity independent of intensity

“…The impact exercise has, though, on adiposopathy is less conclusive. In fact, while one study found that 16 weeks of high‐intensity and moderate continuous exercise both increased total adiponectin (Tjønna et al., 2008) another saw both exercise intensities decreased total adiponectin (Gerosa‐Neto et al., 2016). The disparities seen in studies may be due to differing magnitudes of weight loss as well as only measuring total adiponectin as opposed to looking at the different isoforms.…”

Exercise intensity and physical fitness modulate lipoproteins profile during acute aerobic exercise session

“…In addition to moderate exercise intensity, there is growing interest in studies investigating the effects of physical exercise performed at high intensity, given that this protocol appears to be capable of imposing positive modulation on the metabolism performed in less time, such as by regulating the inflammatory responses in healthy 13 and overweight/obese men 14 . Hence, the exercise intensity looks as an interesting factor to provide positive responses to metabolism though the impact of acute aerobic exercise performed at different intensities on modeling atherogenic and anti-atherogenic parameters according to physical fitness status is unclear.…”