HIIT for Obesity

Overseen By Wonhee Cho, MS

Age: 18 - 65

Sex: Any

Trial Phase: Academic

Sponsor: Syracuse University

Must not be taking: Steroids, Psychotropics, Statins, others

Disqualifiers: Syndromic obesity, Weight loss meds, others

No Placebo Group All trial participants will receive the active study treatment (no placebo)

Approved in 1 Jurisdiction This treatment is already approved in other countries

Compensation: Varies

Number of Visits: 7

Duration: 2 weeks

60 Participants Needed

What You Need to Know Before You Apply

What is the purpose of this trial?

This trial aims to explore how different high-intensity interval training (HIIT) routines affect heart and metabolic health in young adults with obesity. Researchers will assign participants to one of three HIIT groups, each with varying workout and rest times, or to a control group that does not engage in HIIT. The study will measure changes in cardiovascular health markers, blood fats, and blood sugar before, immediately after, and two weeks following the training. It suits young adults with obesity who are not currently on weight loss medications or programs. As an unphased trial, this study allows participants to contribute to understanding how HIIT can improve health outcomes.

Will I have to stop taking my current medications?

If you are taking weight loss medications or medications that affect carbohydrate or lipid metabolism, like steroids, certain psychiatric drugs, hormonal contraception, statins, or medications for high blood pressure or diabetes, you would not be eligible to participate in this trial.

What prior data suggests that these HIIT protocols are safe for young adults with obesity?

Research shows that high-intensity interval training (HIIT) is generally safe and manageable for most people. Studies have found that HIIT aids in weight loss and enhances heart health without causing major issues. For instance, one study found that participants lost an average of 1.73 kg through HIIT, indicating positive health benefits. Another study confirmed that HIIT improves body shape and heart and lung fitness, which are crucial for overall health.

Although the exercise can be intense and might cause some discomfort, serious side effects are rare. Many participants report feeling healthier and fitter after completing HIIT sessions. Overall, HIIT is considered a safe exercise option for most people, including those with obesity. ^{1 2 3 4 5}

Why are researchers excited about this trial?

Researchers are excited about the HIIT (High-Intensity Interval Training) protocols being tested for obesity because they offer a different approach to weight management compared to traditional steady-state cardio exercises. This trial explores varying intensities and durations of sprint intervals, including very short bursts of 5, 10, and 20 seconds followed by rest periods, which might make the workouts more efficient and accessible for people with busy schedules. Unlike conventional exercise regimens that often require longer sessions to see results, these HIIT protocols could potentially lead to significant health benefits with less time commitment. This innovative approach might not only improve weight loss outcomes but also enhance cardiovascular fitness and metabolic health in a shorter period.

What evidence suggests that this trial's HIIT protocols could be effective for obesity?

Research has shown that high-intensity interval training (HIIT) effectively improves health in people with obesity. Studies have found that HIIT can lead to similar weight loss and heart health improvements as moderate-intensity continuous training (MICT). For college students with obesity, HIIT demonstrated even greater positive effects than other exercise programs. HIIT also increases fitness levels and lowers body fat percentage. This trial will compare different HIIT protocols, including 5-second, 10-second, and 20-second sprint intervals, to evaluate their effectiveness. These benefits make HIIT a promising option for improving heart and metabolic health. ^{3 6 7 8 9}

Who Is on the Research Team?

Joon Young Kim, Ph.D

Principal Investigator

Syracuse University, Departments of Exercise Science

Are You a Good Fit for This Trial?

This trial is for young adults aged 18 to 25 with obesity, defined as having a BMI of 30 or higher. It's not suitable for individuals who don't meet the age and BMI criteria.

Exclusion Criteria

Currently enrolled (or within previous 6 months) in a weight loss program

I am currently taking medication to lose weight.

Presence of cardiac pacemaker

Timeline for a Trial Participant

Screening

Participants are screened for eligibility to participate in the trial

1-2 weeks

Treatment

Participants engage in six sessions of running-based HIIT programs over a 2-week training period

2 weeks

6 sessions (in-person)

Detraining

Participants are monitored for changes in cardiometabolic markers 2 weeks after the cessation of training

2 weeks

1 visit (in-person)

Follow-up

Participants are monitored for safety and effectiveness after treatment

4 weeks

What Are the Treatments Tested in This Trial?

Interventions

• HIIT

Trial Overview The study tests three different high-intensity interval training (HIIT) programs against no exercise in improving heart health and metabolism in obese young adults. Participants will be randomly placed into one of four groups, including a control group, to assess changes before, after intervention, and post two weeks without training.

How Is the Trial Designed?

Group I: Control Experimental Treatment 1 Intervention

Control group

Group II: 5s HIIT Experimental Treatment 1 Intervention

5s HIIT group will perform one bout of sprint running for 5-seconds followed by 25-second, resting of total 40 repetition.

Group III: 20s HIIT Experimental Treatment 1 Intervention

20s HIIT group will perform one bout of sprint running for 20-seconds followed by 100-second, resting of total 10 repetition.

Group IV: 10s HIIT Experimental Treatment 1 Intervention

10s HIIT group will perform one bout of sprint running for 10-seconds followed by 50-second, resting of total 20 repetition.

Who Is Running the Clinical Trial?

Syracuse University

Lead Sponsor

Trials

54

Recruited

118,000+

Citations

1. pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC8292807/

Effectiveness of high-intensity interval training for weight loss ... Conclusions. In healthy adults with obesity, HIIT compared with MICT induced similar weight loss and cardiovascular risk factors improvement ...

2. nature.com nature.com/articles/s41598-024-67331-z

Comparative effects of high-intensity interval training and ... Overall, for college students living with obesity, both HIIT and MICT have shown positive effects. Among these, HIIT demonstrates greater ...

3. pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/29683919/

Outcomes from a 12-Month Intervention in Overweight Adults The aim of this study was to determine the effectiveness of an unsupervised HIIT program in overweight/obese adults over 12 months.

4. frontiersin.org frontiersin.org/journals/public-health/articles/10.3389/fpubh.2024.1487789/full

Effects of high intensity interval training and moderate ... In conclusion, this review showed that HIIT can bring better pleasure response than MICT in overweight or obese people, but there is no ...

5. nature.com nature.com/articles/s41598-025-11809-x

Effects of high-intensity interval training on physical fitness ... These findings suggest that HIIT is an effective modality for enhancing cardiorespiratory fitness and reducing body fat percentage in ...

6. pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC12403219/

The effect of high-intensity interval training on health ... The findings indicate that while HIIT does not significantly impact BMI, it has substantial effects on reducing BFP, improving VO2peak, ...

7. apm.amegroups.org apm.amegroups.org/article/view/75370/html

The effect and safety of high-intensity interval training in the ... The results showed that HIIT significantly reduced body weight (MD =−1.73 kg, 95% CI: −3.25 to −0.21, P=0.02) (Figure 4A), BMI (MD =−1.42 kg/m2, 95% CI: −1.98 ...

8. nature.com nature.com/articles/s41366-024-01645-w

Feasibility and efficacy of adding high-intensity interval ... Several studies have provided evidence indicating that high-intensity interval training (HIIT) reduces body weight and improves cardiovascular ...

9. mdpi.com mdpi.com/2077-0383/14/4/1282

The Effectiveness of High-Intensity Interval Training vs. ... Results: HIIT was found to be most effective for younger individuals (18–30 years), promoting fat oxidation and muscle retention. In middle-aged adults (31–40 ...