Comparing the Effects of High-Intensity Interval Training and Moderate-Intensity Continuous Training on Body Composition in Adults with Overweight and Obese: A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis

Document Type : Review Article

Authors

1 Assistant Professor, Department of Physical Education and Sport Sciences, School of Humanities, University of Kashan, Kashan, Iran

2 MSc Student, Department of Physical Education and Sport Sciences, School of Humanities, University of Kashan, Kashan, Iran

Abstract

Background: The aim of this study is to compare the effect of high intensity interval training (HIIT) and moderate intensity continuous training (MICT) on body composition in overweight and obese adults.
Methods: A systematic search of English and Persian articles published in PubMed, Web of Science, SID, and Magiran databases was conducted up to November 2022. A meta-analysis was performed to compare the effect of HIIT and MICT on body composition in overweight and obese adults. Weighted mean difference (WMD) and 95% confidence interval (CI) were calculated using fixed effect model.  Also, I2 test was used to determine heterogeneity, and Funnel plot test and Egger test were used for publication bias.
Findings: The results of 36 studies with 1096 subjects showed that HIIT did not significantly change in body weight [WMD = 0.37, (-1.12 to 0.24), P = 0.3], body fat percentage [WMD = 0.31 (-0.19 to 0.83), P = 0.2], and body fat mass [WMD = -0.43 (-1.12 to 0.24), P = 0.2], compared to MICT in overweight and obese adults .But HIIT causes a significant increase in body free fat mass [WMD = 0.82 (0.07 to 1.58), P = 0.03], compared to MICT in overweight and obese adults .
Conclusion: The results of the present study show that HIIT has similar benefits to MICT on body composition, and body fat reduction, although HIIT is a time-efficient training method.  However, neither short-term HIIT nor MICT leads to a clinically significant reduction in body fat. HIIT leads to an increase in body free fat mass in obese adults compared to MICT.

Keywords

Main Subjects

References

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Journal of Isfahan Medical School
Volume 41, Issue 721
1st Week, August
July and August 2023
Pages 406-426

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  • Receive Date: 07 April 2023
  • Accept Date: 16 July 2023

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