ABSTRACT
Introduction:
The prevalence of childhood obesity has increased and is associated with the development of several chronic diseases. Moderate-intensity continuous training is recommended as the main exercise method for treating obesity. However, in overweight and obese individuals, high-intensity interval training models have similar or greater fat reduction potential than moderate-intensity continuous training.
Objective:
This study aimed to compare the effects of 12 weeks of moderate-intensity continuous training and high-intensity interval training on cardiometabolic parameters, body composition, and cardiorespiratory fitness in obese adolescent boys.
Methods:
Fifty-six obese boys, aged 10-16 years old, were included. Anthropometric measurements, blood pressure, body composition, oxygen consumption, glucose, insulin, and the lipid profile were assessed. Participants were assigned to moderate-intensity continuous training (n=20), high-intensity interval training (n=20), and control (n=16) groups. The moderate-intensity continuous training sessions consisted of 90 minutes of cycling/walking exercises and the high-intensity interval training sessions consisted of 15 minutes of warm-up, 15-18 minutes of interval exercises, and 15 minutes of cool-down. Both were performed three times a week. A two-way mixed-model factorial analysis of variance (ANOVA) with repeated measures was used.
Results:
In the high-intensity interval training group, there was an increase in relative and absolute oxygen consumption and a reduction in diastolic blood pressure. However, in the moderate-intensity continuous training group, there were increases in relative oxygen consumption and high-density lipoproteins, as well as reductions in anthropometric measurements, fat mass, and triglycerides.
Conclusion:
Moderate-intensity continuous training may be a better protocol for the reduction of fat mass, anthropometric measurements, and improvement of the lipid profile, while high-intensity interval training may be more effective in improving blood pressure among obese boys. Both exercises improve cardiorespiratory fitness. Level of evidence II; Therapeutic studies - investigation of treatment results.
Keywords:
Exercise; High-intensity intermittent exercise; Body composition; Blood pressure; Adolescents
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