Cardiometabolic HIIT-RT Study

High Intensity Interval- vs Resistance or Combined- Training for Improving Cardiometabolic Health in Overweight Adults (Cardiometabolic HIIT-RT Study): Study Protocol for a Factorial Randomised Controlled Trial

Several studies have shown relationship between exercise intensity and improvement cardiometabolic health such as body composition, endothelial function, blood pressure and blood lipids. It has been suggested that high intensity interval training and also strength or resistance training generate positive effects on metabolic risk factors, nevertheless the comparison between both types of training and their combination has not yet provided conclusive evidence. Also, it has been shown that dietary restriction has similar or more positive effects that exercise alone and the effect is greater when it is combined with exercise. For these reasons, it is necessary to clarify which type of training, in combination with a dietary restriction, is more effective to improve cardiometabolic health

The investigators hypothesized that high intensity interval, resistance training or combined training would result in similar improvements in cardiometabolic health as compared to the usual clinical care in a cohort of sedentary overweight (age 30-50 years old).

Inclusion Criteria:

• Meets at least one criteria for metabolic Syndrome (IDF 2006): Central obesity: waist circumference ≥90cm (men) ≥80cm (women); triglycerides ≥ 150mg/dl; HDL-c <40mg/dl (men) <50 (women); Blood pressure ≥130/85mmHg and fasting plasma glucose ≥ 100mg/dL.
• Written informed consent.
• Interested in improving health and fitness.

Exclusion Criteria:

• Systemic infections.
• Weight loss or gain of >10% of body weight in the past 6 months for any reason.
• Currently taking medication that suppresses or stimulates appetite.
• Uncontrolled hypertension: systolic blood pressure 160 mm Hg or diastolic blood pressure 95 mm Hg on treatment.
• Gastrointestinal disease, including self-reported chronic hepatitis or cirrhosis, any episode of alcoholic hepatitis or alcoholic pancreatitis within past year, inflammatory bowel disease requiring treatment in the past year, recent or significant abdominal surgery (e.g., gastrectomy).
• Asthma.
• Diagnosed diabetes (type 1 or 2), fasting impaired glucose tolerance (blood glucose 118 mg/dL), or use of any anti-diabetic medications.
• Currently taking antidepressant, steroid, or thyroid medication, unless dosage is stable (no change for 6 months).
• Any active use of illegal or illicit drugs.
• Current exerciser (>30 min organized exercise per week).
• Indication of unsuitability of current health for exercise protocol (PARQ).
• Any other conditions which, in opinion of the investigators, would adversely affect the conduct of the trial.