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Completed

NCT Number: NCT02706093

Metabolic Adaptations in Response to High Intensity Interval Training in Obese Adults

The overall objectives are to:

1. Assess mechanisms underlying HIIT-induced improvements in insulin resistance at the whole-body, tissue, and cellular levels. 2. Systematically compare different HIIT regimens to help identify effective "doses" of HIIT that may be optimal for improving metabolic health in obese adults. 3. Assess the ability/willingness of obese subjects to adhere to a long-term HIIT program.

Findings from these studies will greatly expand knowledge about the effects of HIIT on metabolic health, and will provide valuable information for development of programs aimed at maximizing key metabolic benefits of exercise.

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Key information

Conditions

Glucose Intolerance Glucose Metabolism Disorders Hyperglycemia Metabolic Diseases Nutritional and Metabolic Diseases

Age range

18 year–40 year

Sex eligibility

All sexes

Study type

Interventional

Phase

Not applicable

Primary location

Suzette Howton

Ann Arbor, Michigan, 48178, United States

About this study

If subjects are eligible for the study, they will be randomized into one of two different exercise training groups. Before training (and twice after 3 months of training) subjects will participate in a "clinical study" in which they will be required to stay overnight in the hospital. During the clinical study, the research team will perform a series of metabolic tests. Before and after the 3 months of training, the research team will assess subjects "free-living" 24h blood sugar control using a Continuous Glucose Monitor (CGM). The research team will measure several other relevant clinical markers (e.g., whole body and regional body fat assessments [Dual Energy X-ray Absorptiometry (DEXA) and Magnetic Resonance Imager (MRI)], hepatic lipid accumulation [MRI analysis], blood lipid profile, resting metabolic rate, glycated hemoglobin [hemoglobin A1c]). After the first 3 months of training, adherence to the subjects assigned training program will be tracked for the next 9 months (1 year of training in total). One year after initiating a training program, subjects will be asked to return to the clinic for a quick follow-up visit where the research team will complete some standard clinical assessments (e.g., body weight, body composition, blood pressure, and a blood sample).

Who can participate

Healthy volunteers accepted: No

Only the study team can determine whether someone qualifies for participation.

Inclusion criteria

  • Age: 18-40
  • Body Mass Index: 30-40 kg/m2
  • Waist circumference: 88-98cm for women and 100-110cm for men
  • No regularly planned exercise/physical activity
  • Women must have regularly occurring menses and must be premenopausal

Exclusion criteria

  • EKG abnormalities as assessed by the cardiologist on the research team
  • Evidence/history of cardiovascular or metabolic disease
  • Medications known to affect lipid or glucose metabolism
  • Pregnant or lactating
  • Tobacco or e-cigarette use

Treatment and study plan

High Intensity Interval Training (HIIT)

Other

(HIIT) 10 x 1 min. at ~90%HRmax - with low intensity warm-up, recovery, and cool down - total of 25 min/session .

Moderate-Intensity Continuous Training (MICT)

Other

Moderate-intensity continuous training (MICT) = steady-state exercise at 60-70%HRmax for 45min. Representing a commonly prescribed exercise program.

Primary outcomes

  1. Insulin Sensitivity

    Time frame: Change from Baseline after 3 months of exercise training

    A hyperinsulinemic-euglycemic clamp was used to assess peripheral insulin sensitivity. Briefly, a primed, continuous infusion of insulin (40 mU/m^2/min) was administered; blood glucose was assessed every 5 minutes and 20% dextrose (D20 enriched with [6-6 d2]glucose) was infused at a variable rate to accommodate changes in blood glucose in order to maintain blood glucose at the participants' overnight fasted levels. About 2 hours after beginning the insulin infusion, when blood glucose concentration stabilized without further changes in the rate of D20 infusion for ≥ ~20 minutes, arterialized blood samples were collected every 5 minutes during the final 20 minutes of the clamp for the determination of steady state tracer-labeled glucose enrichment in plasma to calculate the rate of glucose disposal.

Secondary outcomes

  1. VO2peak

    Time frame: Change from Baseline after 3 months of exercise training

    Change in aerobic capacity between baseline and after 3 months of training

  2. Resting Metabolic Rate

    Time frame: Change from Baseline after 3 months of exercise training

    energy expenditure while at rest

  3. Hepatic Fat %

    Time frame: Change from Baseline after 3 months of exercise training

    Change in abundance of fat in the liver - reported as % area (measured by MRI)

  4. Visceral Fat Area (cm^2)

    Time frame: Change from Baseline after 3 months of exercise training

    Change in fat accumulation in the visceral region - measured by MRI

Sponsors and collaborators

Lead sponsor

University of Michigan

Other

Registry information

Acronym: HT

Important dates

Study start
2016
Primary completion
2022
Study completion
2022
First posted
Mar 11, 2016
Registry last updated
Aug 24, 2026

OpenTrials presents study information sourced from ClinicalTrials.gov. The official registry record should be consulted for the latest information.

View the official ClinicalTrials.gov record (opens in a new tab)

This listing is for discovery and informational purposes only. It is not medical advice, does not guarantee that a study is recruiting, and does not determine eligibility. Contact the study team and a qualified healthcare professional when considering participation.

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