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. 2017 May 29;3(3):258–271. doi: 10.1002/osp4.109

Table 1.

Overview of the characteristics of included studies. Data are presented in means ±SD. Abbreviations: HIIT (High intensity interval training), CON (control), SIT (sprint interval training), MICT (medium intensity continuous training), HI (high intensity), LI (low intensity), MeD (Mediterranean diet), MeDE (Mediterranean diet with exercise), AIT (aerobic interval training), MVIT (maximal volitional intensity training), WALK (walking exercise), CR (caloric restriction), CR+MI (caloric restriction + medium intensity exercise), CR+HI (caloric restriction +high intensity exercise), CMIET (continuous medium intensity exercise training), TER (traditional exercise recommendations)

Study N Age (y) BMI (kg/m 2 ) Training Intensity Duration Control Outcome VO2max (ml.min.kg) Outcome BMI (kg/m 2 )
Arad et al. 2015 27 28 female HIIT: 29 ± 4
CON: 30 ±7
HIIT: 32.5 ±3.6
CON: 32.1 ±3.2
HIIT (cycling; 24 min)
(3/week)
6 min warm‐up 50%HRR 4x30‐60s 75‐90% HRR 5 min cool‐down 14 weeks Normal level of physical activity HIIT: from 23.1 ±4.9 to 24.9±5.5
CON: from 19.7 ±6.3 to 20.9 ±4.6
HIIT: from 32.5±3.6 to 32.7 ±3.8
CON: from 32.1±3.2 to 31.6 ±3.6
Cheema et al. 2015 21 12
7: female
5: male
39 ±17 HIIT: 32.0±5.9
CON: 30.8±2.6
HIIT (Boxing; 50 min)
(4/week)
5 min warm up
HIIT 2:1
>75% HRR vs rest/pacing
12 weeks 50 min brisk walking
(4/week)
HIIT: from 27.9 ±2.4 to 32.5 ±5.0
CON: from 29.0 ±6.4 to 28.8 ±8.0
HIIT: from 32.0 ±5.9 to 30.5 ±4.0
CON: from 30.8 ±2.6 to 30.7 ±3.0
Cocks et al. 2015 24 16 male SIT: 24 ±5.7
MICT:26±5.7
SIT: 35.8 ±4.2
MICT: 33.7±4.2
SIT (cycling)
(5/week)
2 min warm up (50W)
30s 200% Wmax /120s 30W
4 to 7 intervals
12 sessions 40‐60 min continuous cycling ‐65% VO2peak
(5/week)
SIT: from 33.9 ±3.4 to 36.3 ±4.5
MICT: 35.1 ±4.2 to 39.8 ±7.6
SIT: from 35.8 ±4.2 to 35.7 ±4.2
MICT: 33.7±4.2 to 33.1±4.5
Hansen et al. 2009 38 50 male 59 ±8 HIT: 32.1±4.5
LIT: 32.7±3.9
HIT (walking, cycling, cross‐country ski‐type exercise)
(3/week)
40 min continuous at 75% VO2peak 6 months 55 min continuous at 50% VO2peak HIT: from 20.8 ±5.5 to 24.7 ±6
LIT: from 20.9 ±5 to 23.5 ±5.5
HIT: from 32.1±4.5 to 31.4 ±4.5
LIT: from 32.7 ± 4 to 32.3 ±4.5
Higgins et al
2016 20
60 female 20.4 ±1.5 30.3 ±4.5 SIT (cycle ergometer)
(3/week)
4 min warm‐up
30 s ‘all out” sprints, 4 min active recovery.
5 repetitions in week 1‐2, 6 repetitions in week 3‐4 and 7 repetitions in week 5‐6
6 weeks 20‐30 min cycling at 60‐70% Heart rate reserve SIT: from 29.1 ±4.8 to 33.2 ± 4.4
MICT: from 26.9 ±4.5 to 28.8 ± 4.3
Jakicic et al. 2003 29 201 female HI/HI: 38.3 ±5.4
MI/HI: 36.8±5.3
HI: 32.8 ±3.9
MI: 32.2 ±3.9
High intensity/high duration (treadmill)
(5/week)
12 months Moderate intensity/high duration
(5/week)
HI: from 20.2±2.9 to 24.5±4.8
MI: from 19.4±3.2 to 22.1±4.0
HI: from 32.9 ±3.9 to 29.5 ±4.8
MI: from 32.3 ±3.9 to 29.2 ±4.8
Jung et al. 2015 30 32
27:female
5:male
51 ±10 32.9 ±6.3 HIIT (25 min)
(walking,elliptical machine, treadmill or cycling)
(3/week)
3 min warm up
10x1 min 90% HRpeak
2 min cool‐down
10 days + 4 weeks 20‐50 min continuous 65% HRpeak HIIT: from 20.7 ±3.3 to 22.6 ±4.1
MICT: from 20.8 ±5.2 to 22.0 ±4.6
HIIT: from 29.8 ±5.5 to 29.9 ±5.1
MICT: from 32.1 ±4.1 to 31.9 ±3.7
Keating et al.
2015 31
48 43.6 ±3.0 33.4 ±1.3 HI (cycling)
(3/week)
30‐45 min 60‐70% VO2peak 8 weeks Low to moderate intensity, high volume (Brisk walking)
45‐60 min 50% VO2peak
HI: from 21.9 ±4.8 to 24.9 ±5.5
LO: from 24.9 ±3.5 to 27.2 ±2.8
HI: from 36.3 ±5.9 to 35.8± 5.9
LO: from 33.9 ±3.1 to 33.4 ±3.1
Landaeta‐Diaz et al. 2012 32 45
30: female
15: male
MeD: 57.2 ±4.4
MeDE: 59.05 ±5.5
MeD: 38.44 ±6.5
MeDE: 37.05 ±3.22
MeDE (diet +exercise)
(ergometer)
(3/week)
30 min 80% HRmax 12 weeks Diet only‐ calori restriction (500kcal/day) MeDE: from 18.87 ±5.59 to 27.31 ±4.70
MeD: from 19.99 ±5.72 to 22.38 ± 6.98
MeDE: from 37.05±3.22 to 33.79±3.21
MeD: from 38.44 ±6.5 to 36.35 ±6.12
Lunt et al.
2013 22
49
36:female
13:male
WALK: 46.3 ±5.4
AIT: 48.2 ±5.6
MVIT: 50.3 ±8.0
WALK: 32.7 ±4.3
AIT: 32.1 ±3.1
MVIT: 32.4 ±2.9
AIT: aerobic interval training
(walking)
MVIT: maximal volitional intensity training
(3/week)
AIT: 4min HIIT (85‐95% HRmax)/3 min walking
4 repetitions (40 min)
MVIT: 30 s volitional intensity/4 min walking
3‐6 repititions
(25‐40 min)
10 min warming up
5 min cool‐down
12 weeks WALK:
10 min warming up
5 min cool down
33 min walk (65‐75% HRpeak)
AIT: from 24.2 ±4.8 to 25.6 ±4.8
MVIT: from 25.0 ±2.8 to 25.2 ±3.4
WALK: from 26.5 ±5.3 to 25.2 ±3.6
AIT: from 32.1 ±3.1 to 32.1 ±3.0
MVIT: from 32.4 ±2.9 to 32.3 ±2.9
WALK: from 32.4 ±2.9 to 32.3 ±2.9
Mezghanni et al. 2012 33 31 female 25.2 ±4.8 G75: 32.9 ±1.8
G50: 34.1 ±3.6
CON: 33.2 ±1.8
High intensity aerobic training
(walking and jogging)
G75: 20‐55 min 75% HRR 12 weeks Moderate intensity aerobic training
G50: 20‐55min
50% HRR
OR
Control
G75: from 32.9 ±1.8 to 30.5 ±2.4
G50: from 34.1 ±3.6 to 32.9 ±3.8
CON: from 33.2 ±1.8 to 33.3 ±1.7
Nicklas et al.
2009 23
112 female CR: 58.4 ±6.0
CR+MI: 57.7 ±5.5
CR+HI: 59.0 ±5.0
CR: 33.9 ±4.0
CR+MI: 33.7 ±3.5
CR+HI: 32.9 ±3.7
Caloric restriction + high intensity exercise
(treadmill)
(3/week)
3‐5 min warm up
CR+HI: 70‐75%HRR
20 weeks CR+MI: 45‐50%HRR
OR CR only
CR+HI: +4.1 ±
3.7
 
CR+MI: +2.5 ±2.6
CR only: +2.0 ±2.6
Robinson et al. 2015 34 39 52±10 HIIT: 32.9± 6.6
MICT: 31.4 ± 4.1
HIIT (cycle, treadmill, elliptical) HIIT: 3 min warm up
4x 1:1 85‐90% Wpeak/20% Wpeak
to 10x 1:185‐90% Wpeak / 20% Wpeak
Cooldown (32.5% Wpeak)
2 weeks 20‐50 min of continuous activity at 32.5% Wpeak HIIT: from 20.4 ±3.4 to 21.9 ±4.0
MICT: from 20.6 ±4.9 to 22.1 ±4.7
HIIT: from 32.9 ±6.6 to 32.6 ±6.7
MICT: from 31.4 ±4.1 to 31.3 ±4.0
Roxburgh et al.
2014 36
29
19: female
10: male
36.3 ± 6.9 CMIET+HIIT: 30.7± 6.3
CMIET: 29.6± 4.7
Control: 29.2 ±4.2
CMIET+ single bout of HIIT
(treadmill and cycling)
(5/week)
4 sessions CMIET
+1 session HIIT: 60s 100%VO2max ‐150 s recovery
8‐12 repetitions
12 weeks CMIET: 15 min walking and 15 min cycling (45‐60%HRR)
Control: normal activity level. No exercise
CMIET+HIIT: from 32.7 ±9.2 to 36.0±11.5
CMIET: from 33.2±4.0 to 34.5 ±6.1
CON: from 30±4.6 to 28.3±6.5
CMIET+HIIT: from 30.7 ±6.3 to 30.6±6.1
CMIET: from 29.6±4.7 to 29.4±4.7
CON: from 29.2 ±4.2 to 29.5±4.4
Sawyer et al.
2016 26
18
9: female
9: male
HIT: 35.6 ±8.9
MICT: 34.8 ±7.7
HIIT: 37.4 ±6.2
MICT: 34.5 ±3.2
HIIT (cycle ergometer)
(3/week)
5 min warm‐up (50‐60% HRmax)
10x 1 min intervals (90‐95% HRmax)
5 min cool‐down (50‐60% HRmax)
8 weeks 5 min warm‐up (50‐60% HRmax)
30 min cycling at 70‐75% of HRmax
5 min cool‐down (50‐60% HRmax
HIIT: from 20.3 ±4.9 to 24.4 ±5.9
MICT: from 22.4 ±3.6 to 25.5 ±4.5
HIIT: from 37.4 ±6.2 to 37.4 ±6.1
MICT: from 34.5 ±3.2 to 34.5 ±3.2
Schjerve et al.
2008 37
40
32: female
8: male
Strength: 46.2 ± 10.6
Moderate intensity: 44.4 ±7.9
High intensity: 46.9±7.9
Strength: 34.5±5.05
Moderate intensity:
36.7±5.05
High intensity:
36.6±4.49
HIIT (treadmill, walking and running)
(3/week)
10 min warm up 50‐60% HRmax
4x4 min 85‐95% + 3 min interval walking 50‐60% HRmax
5 min cool down
12 weeks Moderate intensity: 47 min walking 60‐70% HRmax
Strenght training:
15 min warm up 40‐50% HRmax
4x5 90% 1RM
Skleryk et al. 2013 25 16 male 38.7±5.5 33.7±5.7 Sprint interval training (SIT) (ergometer)
(6 sessions)
8‐12x10 s ‘all out’ sprints 2 weeks Traditional exercise recommendations (TER)
30 min 65% VO2max
(10 sessions)
SIT: from 29.7 ±3.7 to 29.3±5.3
TER: from 26.3±5.7 to 26.3±6.2
SIT: from 32.2±5.9 to 32.2±5.9
TER: from 35.2±5.1 to 35.2±5.1
Trilk et al. 2011 35 28 female SIT: 30.1±6.
CON: 31.4±5.5
SIT: 35.7±6.
CON: 34.6±5.9
Sprint interval training (SIT)(ergometer)
(3/week)
SIT: 4 min warm up 30 s sprint against resistance (0.05kg/kg)
 
4 min active recovery (low RPM at 0% body mass)
4 weeks Normal level of physical activity SIT: from 21.6±4.12 to 24.5±4.12
 
CON: from 20.5±3.4 to 20.4±3.0