A time-efficient strategy to improve metabolic syndrome risk factors: low-volume interval vs. high-volume continuous exercises

2014 Fiscal Year Final Research Report

• Project/Area Number: 25750372
• Research Category: Grant-in-Aid for Young Scientists (B)
• Allocation Type: Multi-year Fund
• Research Field: Applied health science
• Research Institution: National Institute of Occupational Safety and Health, Japan
• Principal Investigator: MATSUO Tomoaki 独立行政法人労働安全衛生総合研究所, 有害性評価研究グループ, 任期付研究員 (30582697)
• Project Period (FY): 2013-04-01 – 2015-03-31
• Keywords: 運動強度 / 運動時間 / インターバルトレーニング / 食事制限 / 時間効率 / メタボリックシンドローム

Outline of Final Research Achievements

This study investigated how an 8-week, 3 times/week exercise intervention (EXi) incorporating either high-intensity, interval training (HIIT, 13 min, 180 kcal) or moderate-intensity continuous training (MICT, 40 min, 360 kcal) followed by a 4-week low-calorie diet intervention (LCDi, 4 counseling sessions) affects metabolic syndrome risk factors. During the EXi, cardiorespiratory capacity improved more through HIIT (25.4 ± 14.6%) than through MICT (14.9 ± 12.8%), whereas improvements in body fat and HDL cholesterol were similar. During the LCDi, some risk factors improved further without any group differences. An intervention strategy consisting of 8 weeks of either HIIT or MICT followed by a 4-week LCDi has a positive effect on metabolic syndrome risk factors.

Free Research Field

労働衛生分野における体力科学研究