Effects of high-intensity interval and moderate-intensity continuous training on overweight or obese college students: A systematic review and meta-analysis

TL;DR

This study compares high-intensity interval training and moderate-intensity continuous training in overweight or obese college students, finding both may improve body composition and fitness with no clear winner.

Contribution

A systematic review and meta-analysis comparing HIIT and MICT effects on overweight college students using GRADE and RoB 2.0 frameworks.

Findings

Both HIIT and MICT may improve body weight, BMI, and fat mass in overweight students.

HIIT may offer additional benefits for cardiorespiratory fitness and lipid markers.

No consistent significant differences were found between HIIT and MICT in major outcomes.

Abstract

Overweight and obesity are increasingly prevalent among college students, yet the comparative effects of high-intensity interval training (HIIT) and moderate-intensity continuous training (MICT) in this population remain unclear. We systematically reviewed randomized controlled trials evaluating the impacts of HIIT and MICT on body composition, lipid profiles, and cardiorespiratory fitness in overweight or obese college students. Twelve studies were included, and the certainty of evidence was assessed using the GRADE approach. Low-to-very low-certainty evidence suggests that both HIIT and MICT may improve body weight, BMI, body fat percentage, and fat mass, while HIIT may offer additional benefits for cardiorespiratory fitness and select lipid markers. However, head-to-head comparisons revealed no consistent statistically significant differences between the two training modalities. Given the overall low certainty of evidence and methodological limitations across studies, these findings should be interpreted cautiously. More rigorous, adequately powered trials are needed to clarify the relative effectiveness of HIIT and MICT for weight management and cardiometabolic health in young adults.

•Demonstrates that both HIIT and MICT improve adiposity-related outcomes in college students•Shows that HIIT may yield greater gains in cardiorespiratory fitness and lipid metabolism•Reveals no statistically significant differences between HIIT and MICT across major outcomes•Applies RoB 2.0 and GRADE frameworks to evaluate evidence quality and result robustness

Demonstrates that both HIIT and MICT improve adiposity-related outcomes in college students

Shows that HIIT may yield greater gains in cardiorespiratory fitness and lipid metabolism

Reveals no statistically significant differences between HIIT and MICT across major outcomes

Applies RoB 2.0 and GRADE frameworks to evaluate evidence quality and result robustness

Human physiology; Human metabolism

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