Training Mode Comparisons on Cardiorespiratory, Body Composition and Metabolic Profile Adaptations in Reproductive Age Women: A Systemic Review and Meta-Analysis

Abstract

Purpose: This study aimed to compare the effects of high-intensity interval training (HIT), sprint interval training (SIT) and moderate-intensity continuous training (MICT) on cardiorespiratory fitness (CRF), weight (kg), body fat mass (%), plasma glucose (fasting) and lipid levels in reproductive-age women. Method: The search was conducted in Pubmed, Cochrane Library, Virtual Health Library and Scielo. The meta-analyses were conducted using Review Manager software for random-effects models. The results were presented as standardized mean differences and 95%CI, which were calculated to determine the effect size of HIT/SIT and MICT interventions. Results: Eleven articles meet the inclusion criteria. The analyses demonstrated that all exercise modes improved body composition and metabolic profile, but nevertheless, MICT was significantly better at improving CRF (mL·min−1·kg−1) compared with HIT (2.45 mL·min−1·kg−1 (95% CI: 1.15 to 3.75 mL·min−1·kg−1); p < 0.05; I2 = 0%) and with SIT (0.98 mL·min−1·kg−1 (95% CI: −0.98 to 2.93 mL·min−1·kg−1); p = 0.33; I2 = 53%). Conclusion: Both HIT and SIT have the potential to be used as a training modality in reproductive-age women, with similar effects to MICT on body composition/metabolic markers but inferior effects on CRF, suggesting that HIT/SIT may be considered a “time-efficient component″ of weight management programs. However, the variability in the secondary outcome measures, coupled with the small sample sizes in studies, limits this finding.