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The effect of high-intensity aerobic interval training on markers of systemic inflammation in sedentary populations

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Abstract

Purpose

This study examined the effects of high-intensity interval training (HIIT; 30 s sprint, 4–5 min passive recovery) and prolonged intermittent sprint training (PIST; 10 s sprint, 2–3 min moderate exercise) on the systemic inflammatory markers C-reactive protein (CRP) and tumor necrosis factor-α (TNF-α), aerobic capacity, and anthropometry in a middle-aged, sedentary population.

Methods

Fifty-five sedentary adults (age 49.2 ± 6.1 years) were randomised into HIIT (n = 20), PIST (n = 21), or a sedentary control group (CTRL n = 14). HIIT and PIST performed three training sessions per week for 9 weeks on a cycle ergometer, matched for total high-intensity time, while CTRL continued normal sedentary behaviours. Pre- and post-intervention testing involved measures of anthropometry, peak oxygen consumption (VO2peak), and venous blood collection for analyses of CRP and TNF-α.

Results

HIIT and PIST increased VO2peak compared to CTRL (+3.66 ± 2.23 and 3.74 ± 2.62 mL kg min−1). A group × time interaction (p = 0.042) and main effect of time (p = 0.026) were evident for waist girth, with only HIIT showing a significant reduction compared to CTRL (−2.1 ± 2.8 cm). TNF-α and CRP showed no group × time interaction or time effect (p > 0.05).

Conclusions

In sedentary individuals, 9 weeks of HIIT or PIST were effective to improve aerobic capacity; however, only HIIT significantly reduced waist girth and WHR compared to CTRL. Markers of systemic inflammation remained unchanged across all groups. Accordingly, for inflammation and VO2peak, the distribution of sprints and the active or passive recovery periods are inconsequential provided that total duration of high-intensity efforts is similar.

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Abbreviations

ANCOVA:

Analysis of covariance

BMI:

Body mass index

BP:

Blood pressure

CRP:

C-reactive protein

CSI:

Chronic systemic inflammation

CTRL:

Control group

CV:

Coefficient of variation

EDTA:

Ethylene diamine tetraacetic acid

GXT:

Graded exercise test

HIIT:

High-intensity interval training

HR:

Heart rate

IL:

Interleukin

PIST:

Prolonged intermittent sprint training

PPO:

Peak power output

RPE:

Rating of perceived exertion

SSG:

Small-sided games

SST:

Serum separator tube

T2D:

Type 2 diabetes

TNF-α:

Tumor necrosis factor alpha

VO2peak :

Peak oxygen consumption

WHR:

Waist-to-hip ratio

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Acknowledgements

The authors wish to acknowledge the staff at Charles Sturt University and Bathurst Base Hospital for their contribution to blood analysis. They would also like to acknowledge the laboratory staff at the University of Technology Sydney for providing support in data collection. Finally, the authors thank all participants for their involvement and efforts in this study.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Sport and Exercise Discipline Group, UTS: Health, Faculty of Health, Moore Park Precinct, University of Technology Sydney (UTS), Moore Park, PO Box 123, Broadway, NSW, 2007, Australia

    Nicholas G. Allen, Samuel M. Higham & Rob Duffield

  2. Division of Exercise Science and Sports Medicine, Department of Human Biology, University of Cape Town, Cape Town, South Africa

    Amy E. Mendham

  3. School of Exercise Science, Sport and Health, Charles Sturt University, Bathurst, NSW, Australia

    Tegan E. Kastelein & Penelope S. Larsen

Authors
  1. Nicholas G. Allen
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  2. Samuel M. Higham
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  3. Amy E. Mendham
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  4. Tegan E. Kastelein
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  5. Penelope S. Larsen
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  6. Rob Duffield
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Correspondence to Nicholas G. Allen.

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The authors declare that they have no conflict of interest.

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Communicated by Anni Vanhatalo.

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Allen, N.G., Higham, S.M., Mendham, A.E. et al. The effect of high-intensity aerobic interval training on markers of systemic inflammation in sedentary populations. Eur J Appl Physiol 117, 1249–1256 (2017). https://doi.org/10.1007/s00421-017-3613-1

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  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s00421-017-3613-1

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