International Journal of Physical Medicine & Rehabilitation
Open Access

Abstract

Six Weeks High Intensity Interval Training (HIIT) Improves a Variety of Different Diabetes Mellitus Type 2 Risk Markers

Ioan Llwyd Hughes and Timothy Higgins

Background: It is estimated that 1 in 11 of the world’s adult population suffers from type 2 diabetes. Novel exercise regimes such as high intensity interval training (HIIT) programme are gaining attention as an alternative treatment for managing type 2 diabetes (Dm² ). This study assesses the effects of a 6-week HIIT programme on Dm² risk markers.

Method: Eighteen participants aged 20-24 years were divided into test (n=9) and control (n=9) group. Each session consisted of 3 × 1 minute maximal effort cycling sprint followed by a 2-minute resting period. Physiological measurements were taken at pre HIIT (week 0) and after HIIT programme (week 6).

Results: After 6 weeks HIIT, mean test subjects’ systolic blood pressure significantly decreased by 4.4% (p=0.004), diastolic blood pressure decreased by 7.2% (p=0.049) and body fat index decreased by 0.94% (p=0.033). There were also improvements in the test subjects’ weight, VO₂max and glucose AUC, although these were not statistically significant. Genetic analysis revealed that an individual with +45T/G SNP had worsened glucose area under the curve (AUC) following the HIIT programme.

Conclusion: 6 weeks of HIIT has the capacity to significantly improve blood pressure and body fat index, whilst also improving other Dm² risk markers. Individuals with +45T/G SNP demonstrate worse glucose AUC after HIIT. Patient selection using genetic information is therefore critical in order to correctly identify which patients will benefit most from HIIT. HIIT could represent a feasible effective treatment for a life limiting disease.