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A Comparison of Acute High- and Moderate-Intensity Exercise on Cardio- Metabolic Function and Sleep Among Shift Workers

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Abstract

Purpose

To assess the acute effect of moderate and high-intensity exercise on markers of cardio-metabolic function among rotational shift workers.

Methods

Sedentary men (n = 26, age: 38 ± 8 years; BMI: 32.2 ± 6.0 kg/m2, VO2peak 32.6 ± 6.7 mL/kg/min) employed in rotational shift work were recruited and underwent objectively assessed sleep quality (~ 7 days actigraphy) prior to reporting for laboratory testing. Baseline venous blood was collected to analyse fasted glucose, insulin and inflammatory cytokines tumor necrosis factor (TNF)-α, interleukin (IL)-6 and IL-1 receptor antagonist (IL-1Ra). Participants were randomly allocated a 30 min cycling intervention of either high intensity interval training (HIIT): 1:4 ratio of 60 s at 100% and 240 s at 50% VO2peak, or moderate intensity continuous training (MICT); continuous cycling at 60% VO2peak. Fasted venous blood was collected post intervention (0, 30, 60 min) before subsequent night’s sleep was assessed via actigraphy.

Results

HIIT (P < 0.016) and MICT (P < 0.016) significantly increased IL-1Ra immediately and 30 min post exercise. Significantly decreased wake after sleep onset (WASO) were observed following MICT (P < 0.05). No significant changes were observed for supplementary sleep variables, insulin sensitivity, IL-6 or TNF-α for either intervention group (P > 0.05).

Conclusion

High- and moderate-intensity exercise acutely increase anti-inflammatory markers post exercise and MICT significantly reduces sleep fragmentation in rotational shift workers. Results which are associated with improved cardio-metabolic function and indicate the potential validity of exercise as an intervention to offset the hypothesised adverse health effects of rotational shift work.

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Data Availability

Data will be made available upon reasonable request.

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Funding

This study was funded solely by the Australian Government Research Training Program.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. School of Allied Health, Exercise and Sports Sciences, Charles Sturt University, Bathurst, NSW, Australia

    Blake E. G. Collins, Tegan E. Hartmann, Frank E. Marino & Melissa Skein

  2. Holsworth Research Initiative, La Trobe Rural Health School, La Trobe University, Edwards Road, Bendigo, VIC, 3552, Australia

    Blake E. G. Collins

Authors
  1. Blake E. G. Collins
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  2. Tegan E. Hartmann
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  4. Melissa Skein
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Contributions

Review and editing (equal). BC: conceptualisation (lead); writing – original draft (lead); formal analysis (lead): supervision (lead). TH: conceptualisation. FM: conceptualisation. MS; conceptualisation; supervision.

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Correspondence to Blake E. G. Collins.

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Collins, B.E.G., Hartmann, T.E., Marino, F.E. et al. A Comparison of Acute High- and Moderate-Intensity Exercise on Cardio- Metabolic Function and Sleep Among Shift Workers. J. of SCI. IN SPORT AND EXERCISE 6, 35–43 (2024). https://doi.org/10.1007/s42978-022-00212-x

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  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s42978-022-00212-x

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