Comparison the effects of six weeks of high intensity interval training and moderate continuous training on insulin resistance in overweight men

Purpose: The purpose of this study was to investigate the comparison the effects of 6 weeks of high- intensity interval training (HIIT), moderate-intensity continuous training (MCT) and one week recovery on insulin resistance in overweight men. Method: Twenty-four sedentary overweight men (age, 25.4± 0.6 years) were divided into three (n=8) body mass index matched groups. The subjects in two training groups performed either HIIT or MCT exercise training protocols 3 days a week for 6 weeks followed by one week of recovery. Fasting blood samples were collected from a forearm vein to assay insulin and glucose levels. The ANOVA with repeated measures were used to compare the data in three groups. Result: Insulin resistance significantly decreased in both training groups compared to the control group (P<0.05). In addition, after a week of recovery insulin resistance did not return to pre-training levels in both training groups (P<0.05). Conclusion: In the present study no significant difference was found on changes of insulin resistance in both training types. It seem that improve in insulin resistance was not related to volume and type of training and regular exercise training in sufficient time and frequency can significantly change insulin resistance.