Effects of Interval Training Versus Continuous Exercise on Anthropometric and Cardiorespiratory Fitness Markers in Obese Women

Abstract

The purpose of this study was to test the hypothesis that interval training (IT) is as effective as continuous exercise (CE) in reducing markers of obesity in women with abdominal obesity and low cardiorespiratory capacity. Twenty-one women with central obesity (mean ± SD: 47±11 years old; 95.7±9.8 cm of waist circumference; 38.8 ± 4.5% body fat) performed CE (-20% of Ventilatory Threshold -VT) or IT (2 min of stimulus/2 min of recovery +20%/-20% of VT) during a 10 week period, 2 times per week, for 20 to 40 minutes per session. Anthropometric data was recorded and cardiorespiratory fitness was measured before and after intervention. After intervention, both groups exhibited reductions in waist circumference (IT group lost 3.3%, P = 0.022; and CE group 3.9%, P = 0.015), waist/height ratio (IT group lost 3.4%, P = 0.018; and CE group 4.5%, P = 0.019), and Conicity Index (IT group lost 2.4%, P = 0.014; and CE group 3.9%, P = 0.017). Only the IT group reduced their weight (lost 1.4%, P = 0.019) and BMI (lost 3.5%, P = 0.024). After training, the VT increased 6.9% in the IT group (P =0.04), and 7.4% in the CE group (P = 0.04). VO 2 Peak tended to be elevated after 10 weeks of intervention in the IT group (P = 0.08). These data suggest that a practical low-volume IT regimen during a short timeframe was as effective as CE in improving cardiorespiratory fitness and decreasing central obesity markers.