High Intensity Interval Training and Skeletal Muscle Insulin Sensitivity

High Intensity Interval Training and Skeletal Muscle Insulin Sensitivity: Unraveling Health Effects and Underlying Mechanisms

This human intervention study will test if 12 weeks of supervised HIIT-based intervention improves skeletal muscle NOGD capacity in obese subjects.

19 overweight-obese (BMI => 27kg/m2), sedentary females and males aged 45-75yr will be enrolled in this study.

Participants will train 3 times/week under supervision during 12 weeks. Before, after and during this 12-week training period, there will be multiple metabolic measurements.

Inclusion Criteria:

• Signed informed consent
• Age 45 - 75 years old
• Overweight to obese (BMI => 27kg/m2)
• Sedentary - subjects do not perform any regular physical activity weekly(<3 times per week, <150 min/week).

Exclusion Criteria:

• Unstable body weight (weight gain or loss > 3 kg in the past three months)
• Participation in an intensive weight-loss program or in vigorous exercise program during the last year before starting the study.
• HbA1c > 6.5% and glucose clearance rate >350 ml/kg/min (by OGTT).
• Previously diagnosed with type 2 diabetes
• Active cardiovascular disease. This will be determined by the questionnaires and by screening on medication.
• Use of beta-blockers
• Anticoagulant therapy
• Systolic blood pressure >160 mmHg or diastolic blood pressure >100 mmHg
• Abuse of alcohol (> 3 units (1 unit = 10 gr ethanol) per day)
• Any contra-indication to Magnetic Resonance Imaging (MRI) scanning
• Participation in another biomedical study within 1 month before the first study visit, which may interfere with the outcomes of the present study.
• Use of any medication affecting the glucose homeostasis and whole body metabolism or diseases that may significantly interfere with the main aim of the study.
• Chronic renal dysfunction (creatinine >2 increased (normal value 64-104 µmol/l)
• Subjects who do not want to be informed about unexpected medical findings during the screening / study, or do not wish that their physician is informed, cannot participate in the study.
• Subjects will be included only when the dependent medical doctor of this study approves participation after evaluating all data obtained during the screening.