Comparing three short running HIIT schedules for cardiometabolic health in young adults with obesity

Detraining Effect of Short-term HIIT on Cardiometabolic Risk in Young Adults With Obesity

This project will try three different short-term running HIIT schedules versus no training to see which best improves cardiometabolic markers in 18–25-year-olds with obesity.

Quick facts

• Phase: NA
• Study type: Interventional
• Enrollment: 60 (estimated)
• Ages: 18 Years to 25 Years
• Sex: All
• Sponsor: Syracuse University (other)
• Locations: 1 site (Syracuse, New York)
• Trial ID: NCT05838950 on ClinicalTrials.gov

What this trial studies

In this randomized, four-arm trial participants are assigned to one of three running-based high-intensity interval training (HIIT) protocols or a no-exercise control and complete six supervised sessions over two weeks. The three HIIT arms differ by work-to-rest timing (short, medium, and longer sprint intervals) while intensity is set near 90% of fastest baseline performance and heart rate is recorded during sessions. Primary cardiometabolic outcomes include blood lipids, fasting glucose, blood pressure, insulin sensitivity indicators, and pulse wave velocity measured at baseline, immediately after the intervention, and again two weeks later to capture detraining effects. All training and testing are conducted in-person at Syracuse University and measurements are timed to avoid acute effects of the final session.

Who should consider this trial

Good fit: Ideal candidates are otherwise-healthy young adults aged 18–25 with BMI ≥ 30 kg/m2 who are not currently on weight-loss medications or enrolled in a weight-loss program and who can attend in-person sessions.

Not a fit: People with syndromic obesity, those taking medications or with medical conditions that affect carbohydrate or lipid metabolism, individuals with pacemakers, or pregnant persons are excluded and are unlikely to benefit from this protocol.

Why it matters

Potential benefit: If successful, the results could identify which brief HIIT format most effectively improves blood lipids, blood pressure, and glucose control in obese young adults and help tailor exercise prescriptions.

How similar studies have performed: Previous research shows HIIT can improve cardiometabolic markers in overweight adults, but direct comparisons of multiple very-short HIIT formats and short-term detraining responses are limited.

Eligibility criteria

Inclusion Criteria:

* Young adults with obesity (Age 18 to 25 years old, BMI ≥ 30 kg/m2).

Exclusion Criteria:

* Syndromic obesity; 1) Any clinical symptoms including cognitive delay, 2) abnormalities in body structure(s), 3) organ-specific abnormalities (kidney, liver failure, excessive eating, and/or other signs of hypothalamic dysfunction such as fatigue, weakness and/or lack of interest in activities.
* Taking weight loss medication(s)
* Currently enrolled (or within previous 6 months) in a weight loss program;
* An underlying disease/medications (steroids, second generation psychotropic agents, hormonal contraception, statins, antihypertensive and antidiabetic medications) that could influence carbohydrate or lipid metabolism.
* Presence of cardiac pacemaker.
* Current or anticipated participation in another research that would interfere with any of the outcomes.
* Current or anticipated pregnancy.

Where this trial is running

Syracuse, New York

• Women's Building — Syracuse, New York, United States (RECRUITING)

Study contacts

• Principal investigator: Joon Young Kim, Ph.D — Syracuse University, Departments of Exercise Science
• Study coordinator: Myong Won Seo, Ph.D

Conditions: Obesity, Cardiovascular Diseases, Metabolic Disease, High-intensity Interval Training, HIIT, Detraining effects, Cardiometabolic disease, Young adults