Inflammatory cytokines and metabolic responses to high-intensity intermittent training: effect of the exercise intensity
Fatma Rhibi, Hassane Zouhal, Fábio Santos Lira, Nejmeddine Ouerghi, Jacques Prioux, Sophia Besbes, Jed M. Tijani, Anthony C. Hackney, Abderraouf Ben Abderrahman
Abstract
To examine the effects of two high-intensity intermittent training (HIIT) programs of varying intensities (100% vs. 110% of maximal aerobic velocity [MAV]) on metabolic, hormonal and inflammatory markers in young men. Thirty-seven active male volunteers were randomly assigned into: HIIT experimental groups (100% MAV [EG 100 , n = 9] and 110% MAV [EG 110 , n = 9]) and a control groups (CG 100 , n = 9 and CG 110 , n = 9). Particpants performed high intesity intermittent exercise test (HIIE) at 100% or 110% MAV. Venous blood samples were obtained before, at the end of HIIE and at 15 min of recovery, and before and after 8 weeks of HIIT programs. After training, Glucose was lower (p < 0.01) in EG 100 (d = 0.72) and EG 110 (d = 1.20) at the end of HIIE, and at 15 min recovery only in EG 110 (d = 0.95). After training, Insulin and Cortisol were lower than before training in EG 100 and EG 110 at the end of HIIE (p < 0.001). After HIIT, IL-6 deceased (p < 0.001) in EG 100 (d = 1.43) and EG 110 (d = 1.56) at rest, at the end of HIIE (d = 1.03; d = 1.75, respectively) and at 15 min of recovery (d = 0.88;d = 1.7, respectively). This decrease was more robust (p < 0.05) in EG 110 compared to EG 100 . After HIIT, TNF- deceased (p < 0.001) in EG 100 (d = 1.43) and EG 110 (d = 0.60) at rest, at the end of HIIE (0.71 < d < 0.98) and at 15 min of recovery (0.70 < d < 2.78). HIIT with 110% MAV is more effective in young males on the improvements of some metabolic (Glucose), hormonal (Cortisol) and inflammatory (IL-6) markers at rest, at the end of HIIE and 15 min of recovery than training at 100% MAV.