Effect of High-intensity Interval Training on Cardiometabolic Health and Physical Fitness in Young Adults With Obesity

Key requirements

Who can take part, as listed by the sponsor. Only the study team can confirm whether you are eligible, so take this list to your doctor.

• Ages 18 to 35 years
• All sexes
• No healthy volunteers
• Adult

Trial locations and contacts

1 site in 1 country. Contact the study team or a site near you to ask about taking part.

About this study

Conditions

Obesity & Overweight

Being tested

High-intensity interval training intervention, Moderate-intensity continuous training intervention, Educational sessions

Keywords

obesity, HIIT, MICT

Medical subject headings

Obesity, Overweight

What participants receive

What participants receive. In a randomised study each person is assigned to one group by chance.

• High-intensity interval training interventionOther

  The HIIT group will undergo training for 12 weeks, with a frequency of three sessions per week, completing a total of 36 sessions. Each session will include a 5-minute warm-up and a 5-minute cool-down at 50-60% of maximum heart rate (HRmax). The training protocol will consist of 2-minute high-intensity intervals performed at 90-95% HRmax, corresponding to a Borg rating of perceived exertion (RPE) of 17-18, alternated with 2-minute recovery periods at 70% HRmax (RPE 12-14). A total of five intervals will be completed per session, resulting in an overall high-intensity workload of 18 minutes. All training sessions will be conducted on a stationary cycle ergometer

• Moderate-intensity continuous training interventionOther

  The MICT group will perform moderate-intensity continuous training at 60-70% HRmax, corresponding to an RPE of 12-14, for 35-45 minutes on a stationary cycleergometer. Heart rate and physical activity levels will be continuously monitored in both groups using a chest-strap heart rate sensor (Polar H9, Polar Electro, Finland).

• Educational sessionsOther

  In addition, four educational sessions will be conducted to provide dietary recommendations to all participants. These sessions will aim to promote balanced eating habits and to discourage the excessive consumption of ultra-processed foods or alcohol, as these factors could interfere with the intervention outcomes.

What is being measured

The primary outcome is the main question the study is designed to answer.

1. Maximum oxygen uptake (VO₂max)

   VO₂max (ml/min/kg): Change from Baseline at 12 weeks, measured using a submaximal exercise test based on the Åstrand-Ryhming protocol

   Measured: Baseline and after 12 weeks

2. Weight

   Weight (kg): Changes in weight from baseline to 12 weeks of intervention.

   Measured: Baseline and after 12 weeks

3. Height

   Height (cm): Changes in height from baseline to 12 weeks of intervention.

   Measured: Baseline and after 12 weeks

4. Body mass index (BMI)

   BMI (kg/m2): Change from Baseline at 12 weeks, calculated by: weight (kg)/ height (m^2)

   Measured: Baseline and after 12 weeks

5. Body fat percentage

   Body fat percentage (%): Changes in body fat assessed by bioelectrical impedance analysis (BIA)

   Measured: Baseline and after 12 weeks

6. Muscle mass percentage

   Muscle mass percentage (%): Changes in muscle mass measured using bioelectrical impedance analysis (BIA)

   Measured: Baseline and after 12 weeks

7. Waist circumference

   Waist circumference (cm): Changes in waist circumference will be measured using a Lufkin measuring tape (USA) following the guidelines of the International Society for the Advancement of Kinanthropometry (ISAK)

   Measured: Baseline and after 12 weeks

8. Waist-to-hip ratio

   Waist-to-hip ratio: Changes in waist-to-hip ratio will be calculated by dividing the waist measurement by the hip measurement

   Measured: Baseline and after 12 weeks

9. Glucose

   Glucose (mg/dl): Changes from baseline to 12 weeks of intervention

   Measured: Baseline and after 12 weeks

10. Triglycerides

    Triglycerides (mg/dl): Changes from baseline to 12 weeks of intervention

    Measured: Baseline and after 12 weeks

11. Total cholesterol

    Total cholesterol (mg/dl): Changes from baseline to 12 weeks of intervention

    Measured: Baseline and after 12 weeks

12. HDL cholesterol

    HDL cholesterol (mg/dl): Changes from baseline to 12 weeks of intervention

    Measured: Baseline and after 12 weeks

13. LDL cholesterol

    LDL cholesterol (mg/dl): Changes from baseline to 12 weeks of intervention

    Measured: Baseline and after 12 weeks

14. C-reactive protein (CRP)

    CRP (mg/dl): Changes from baseline to 12 weeks of intervention

    Measured: Baseline and after 12 weeks

15. Systolic blood pressure (SBP)

    SBP (mmHg): Changes from baseline to 12 weeks of intervention

    Measured: Baseline and after 12 weeks

16. Diastolic blood pressure (DBP)

    DBP (mmHg): Changes from baseline to 12 weeks of intervention

    Measured: Baseline and after 12 weeks

Timeline

From the start of the study to its completion; the mark is today. Estimated dates are the sponsor’s plan.

1. First posted15 Dec 2025
2. Study start3 Jan 2026 (estimated)
3. Primary completion15 Jan 2026 (estimated)
4. Study completionApr 2026 (estimated)

Resources

• Official record on ClinicalTrials.govThe registry entry this page is built from, with its full change history.
• Other trials for Obesity & OverweightStudies of the same condition, open and under way.
• What the trial phases meanHow a treatment moves from first tests in people to approval.

More details

For doctors and researchers: how the study is designed, who runs it, and its registry IDs.