The impact of high-intensity interval training versus moderate-intensity continuous training on carotid intima-media thickness and ankle-brachial index in middle-aged women

Abstract

Obesity has been linked to cardiovascular risk factors characterized by endothelial dysfunction and arterial wall thickening. Regular exercise training is recognized as a powerful tool to improve endothelial function and cardiovascular risk profile, but it is unknown which of high-intensity interval training or moderate-intensity continuous training is the best exercise. Materials and Methods: A total of 33 inactive and overweight women aged 40-50 years old and body mass index >27 kg/m[2]were randomized to high-intensity interval training, moderate-intensity continuous training, or control. The exercise intervention consisted of 12 weeks of training and three supervised sessions per week. The moderate-intensity group was trained continuously for 47 min at 60-70% of maximal heart rate. High-intensity interval training consisted of four interval bouts of 4 min at 85%-95% of maximal heart rate with 3 min breaks at 50%-60% of maximal heart rate between the intervals. For all analyses, statistical significance was assigned at P < 0.05. Results: According to our findings, while carotid intima-media thickness decreased in both training groups, this reduction was not statistically significant. In the high-intensity training group, the right ankle-brachial index increased significantly (P = 0.007). Conclusion: Twelve weeks of exercise training, especially in high-intensity interval training, have led to improving lipid profiles and endothelial function, it can be said that regular and prolonged exercise can probably be a preventive factor in cardiovascular disease in overweight women.