title: Comparison of Three Popular Exercise Modalities on V˙O2max in Overweight and Obese.
abstract: BACKGROUND
  In this prospective randomized trial, we examined the effect of three popular exercise training modalities on maximal oxygen uptake (V˙O2max) in overweight and obese individuals. In addition, we examined possible concomitant adaptations in endurance exercise performance (time to exhaustion (TTE)), citrate synthase (CS) activity, venous and arterial function, blood volume, and calculated stroke volume (SV).
  
  
  METHODS
  Thirty subjects were recruited (age, 41 ± 9 yr; weight, 91 ± 14 kg; height, 173 ± 8 cm; body mass index, 30 ± 4 kg·m(-2)) and randomized to either 6 wk of 4 × 4-min high-intensity interval training (4HIIT) at 85%-95% of HRmax, 10 × 1-min HIIT (1HIIT) at V˙O2max load, or 45-min moderate-intensity continuous training (MICT) at 70% of HRmax. V˙O2max, TTE, CS activity, venous and arterial function, as well as blood volume were measured before and after the training period. O2 pulse was calculated and used to estimate SV. Analysis was conducted per protocol.
  
  
  RESULTS
  Only 4HIIT increased V˙O2max (P < 0.01) and significantly more compared with 1HIIT (P = 0.04) and MICT (P = 0.03) (4HIIT, 10%; 1HIIT, 3.3%; and MICT, 3.1%). All groups increased TTE (4HIIT, 198%; 1HIIT, 116%; MICT, 52%), with a higher increase after 4HIIT compared with that after MICT (P = 0.02). Calculated SV increased only after 4HIIT (14.4%). Plasma volume and hemoglobin mass increased after 1HIIT only (5.6% and 6.5%); however, no group differences were found. All groups increased CS activity (4HIIT, 35%; 1HIIT, 35%; MICT, 56%), with no group differences. Arterial inflow (15.7%) and venous outflow (22.7%) decreased after MICT, but there were no group differences.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  4HIIT was superior to 1HIIT and MICT in improving V˙O2max likely because of an increased SV.
authors.affiliation: 1K. G. Jebsen Center of Exercise in Medicine, Department of Circulation and Medical Imaging, Faculty of Medicine, Norwegian University of Science and Technology, Trondheim, NORWAY; and 2Department of Cardiology, St. Olav's University Hospital, Trondheim, NORWAY.
authors.forename: Fredrik Hjulstad
authors.initials: FH
authors.lastname: Bækkerud
authors.forename: Frederic
authors.initials: F
authors.lastname: Solberg
authors.forename: Ingeborg Megård
authors.initials: IM
authors.lastname: Leinan
authors.forename: Ulrik
authors.initials: U
authors.lastname: Wisløff
authors.forename: Trine
authors.initials: T
authors.lastname: Karlsen
authors.forename: Øivind
authors.initials: Ø
authors.lastname: Rognmo
mesh_terms: D000222:Adaptation, Physiological; D000328:Adult; D001810:Blood Volume; D002950:Citrate (si)-Synthase / Q000378:metabolism; D015444:Exercise / Q000523:psychology*; D005080:Exercise Test; D005260:Female; D000072696:High-Intensity Interval Training / Q000379:methods*; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D009765:Obesity / Q000378:metabolism*; D050177:Overweight / Q000378:metabolism*; D010101:Oxygen Consumption; D011446:Prospective Studies; D013318:Stroke Volume
chemical_list: D002950:Citrate (si)-Synthase