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NCT Number: NCT07745270

High-Intensity Functional Training (HIFT) vs Moderate-Intensity Continuous Training (MICT) in College Students

The purpose of this study is to compare two types of exercise programs in college students: high-intensity functional training and moderate-intensity continuous training. The study evaluates whether these exercise programs improve body composition, physical fitness, and blood vessel health compared with a group that does not participate in exercise training. In addition, the study examines whether changes in body composition and physical fitness are associated with changes in blood vessel health.

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Key information

Conditions

Exercise Behavior Motor Activity

Age range

18 year–35 year

Sex eligibility

All sexes

Study type

Interventional

Phase

Not applicable

Primary location

Merrick Building, University of Miami

Coral Gables, Florida, 33146, United States

Location contact

Arlette Perry, PhD

CONTACT

[email protected]

305-284-3025

Who can participate

Healthy volunteers accepted: Yes

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

Inclusion criteria

  • Age 18 to 35 years.
  • Currently enrolled college or university student.
  • Able to provide written informed consent.
  • Able to attend baseline and post-intervention testing visits and participate in assigned intervention sessions.
  • Cleared for exercise participation based on the health screening form and investigator review.

Exclusion criteria

  • Known cardiovascular, metabolic, pulmonary, renal, neurological, musculoskeletal, or endocrine disorder that would make exercise unsafe or confound outcome measures.
  • Current pregnancy or planning pregnancy during the study period.
  • Current smoking, vaping nicotine products, or use of tobacco products.
  • Uncontrolled hypertension or resting blood pressure values that make exercise testing unsafe based on investigator judgment.
  • Use of medications known to substantially affect cardiovascular function, vascular tone, or exercise responses, unless approved by the PI.
  • Any injury, orthopedic limitation, or medical condition preventing safe participation in HIFT, MICT, or physical fitness testing.
  • Currently participating in structured high-intensity interval, functional, or endurance training more than two days per week during the previous three months.
  • Do not speak English.

Treatment and study plan

High-Intensity Functional Training (HIFT)

Behavioral

Participants will perform supervised high-intensity functional training using multi-joint functional movements that may include body-weight exercises, resistance-based movements, step-ups, squats, lunges, push-ups or modified push-ups, core exercises, etc. The intervention will be conducted over 8 weeks, with participants completing three sessions per week. Each session will last approximately 40 to 60 minutes.

Moderate-Intensity Continuous Training (MICT)

Behavioral

Participants will perform supervised moderate-intensity continuous aerobic exercise such as treadmill walking/jogging, cycling, elliptical exercise, or step-based aerobic activity. The intervention will be conducted over 8 weeks, with participants completing three sessions per week. Each session will last approximately 40 to 60 minutes.

Primary outcomes

  1. Change in Carotid-Femoral Pulse Wave Velocity (cfPWV)

    Time frame: Baseline and Week 10 (post-intervention)

    Carotid-femoral pulse wave velocity (cfPWV) will be measured in meters per second (m/s) at baseline and post intervention as an indicator of arterial stiffness. Measurement will be obtained using the SphygmoCor XCEL device (AtCor Medical) with upper arm and thigh cuffs with carotid artery applanation tonometry to assess pulse wave transit time

  2. Change in Central Augmentation Index (cAIx)

    Time frame: Baseline and Week 10 (post-intervention)

    The central augmentation index (cAIx), expressed as a percentage, will be assessed at baseline and post-intervention using the SphygmoCor XCEL device via pulse wave analysis of the central arterial waveform derived from carotid artery tonometry and peripheral blood pressure measurements.

  3. Change in Mean Arterial Pressure (MAP)

    Time frame: Baseline and Week 10 (post-intervention)

    Mean arterial pressure (MAP), measured in millimeters of mercury (mmHg), will be assessed at baseline and post-intervention. MAP will be assessed using the SphygmoCor XCEL system (AtCor Medical) based on an algorithm derived from peripheral blood pressure obtained via an automated upper arm cuff.

  4. Percent Change in Flow-Mediated Dilation (FMD)

    Time frame: Baseline and Week 10 (post-intervention)

    Flow-Mediated Dilation (FMD) will be measured at baseline and post-intervention using a Philips Affiniti 50 ultrasound system and expressed as the percent (%) change in brachial artery diameter from pre-occlusion baseline to peak dilation following a 5-minute forearm occlusion. The outcome will be reported as the change in FMD (%) from baseline to post-intervention.

  5. Change in Carotid Intima-Media Thickness (cIMT)

    Time frame: Baseline and Week 10 (post-intervention)

    Carotid intima-media thickness (cIMT), measured in millimeters (mm), will be assessed using a Philips Affiniti 50 ultrasound system at baseline and post-intervention. High-resolution B-mode images of the distal common carotid artery will be acquired, and mean wall thickness will be calculated from standardized image segments of the left and right carotid arteries.

Secondary outcomes

  1. Change in Body mass index (BMI)

    Time frame: Baseline and Week 10 (post-intervention)

    Body mass index (BMI), measured in kilograms per meter squared (kg/m²), will be calculated from standardized measurements of height and weight.

  2. Change in Waist Circumference (WC)

    Time frame: Baseline and 10 weeks (post-intervention)

    Waist circumference (WC), measured in centimeters (cm), will be assessed using a standardized measuring tape at the level of the iliac crest.

  3. Change in Body fat percentage (BF%)

    Time frame: Baseline and 10 weeks (post-intervention)

    Body fat percentage (BF%) will be assessed using the SECA mBCA (Medical Body Composition Analyzer) bioelectrical impedance analyzer and reported as a percentage (%).

  4. Change in Skeletal Muscle Mass (SMM)

    Time frame: Baseline and 10 weeks (post-intervention)

    Skeletal muscle mass (SMM) will be assessed using the SECA mBCA (Medical Body Composition Analyzer) bioelectrical impedance analyzer and reported in kilograms (kg).

  5. Change in visceral adipose tissue (VAT)

    Time frame: Baseline and 10 weeks (post-intervention)

    Visceral adipose tissue (VAT) will be measured using the SECA mBCA (Medical Body Composition Analyzer) bioelectrical impedance analyzer and reported in liters (L).

  6. Change in Muscular Strength

    Time frame: Baseline and Week 10 (post-intervention)

    Muscular strength will be measured to include lower body muscular strength and upper body handgrip strength. Lower body muscular strength will be assessed using a hip-hinge/deadlift-style test with a force plate transducer to measure maximal force production. Upper body handgrip strength will be assessed using a calibrated hydraulic hand dynamometer. Results will be reported in kilograms (kg).

  7. Change in Cardiorespiratory Fitness

    Time frame: Baseline and Week 10 (post-intervention)

    Cardiorespiratory fitness will be assessed using the Queens College Step Test. Heart rate will be recorded at the end of the test and used to measure cardiorespiratory fitness in milliliters of oxygen consumed per kilogram of body weight per minute (mL / kg / min). The outcome will be reported as the change from baseline to post-intervention.

  8. Change in Muscular Endurance

    Time frame: Baseline and Week 10 (post-intervention)

    Muscular endurance will be assessed using the 1-minute curl-up test. Participants will complete as many correctly performed curl-ups as possible within 1 minute, and the number of valid repetitions will be recorded. The outcome will be reported as the change from baseline to post-intervention.

  9. Change in Flexibility (Sit-and-Reach test)

    Time frame: Baseline and Week 10 (post-intervention)

    Flexibility will be assessed using the Sit-and-Reach test. Participants will reach forward while seated with legs extended, and the maximum distance reached beyond the toes will be recorded in centimeters (cm).

  10. Change in Flexibility (Trunk Lift test)

    Time frame: Baseline and Week 10 (post-intervention)

    Flexibility will be assessed using the Trunk Lift Test. Participants will lie prone and lift their upper body off the floor while maintaining a neutral head position. The vertical distance from the floor to the participant's chin will be measured in centimeters (cm).

Study contacts

Contact information is provided by the study sponsor or research team.

Arlette Perry, PhD

CONTACT

[email protected]

305-284-3025

Sponsors and collaborators

Lead sponsor

University of Miami

Other

Registry information

Official study title

The Effects of Interval Compared to Continuous Training on Physical Variables and Vascular Health in College Students: A Three-Arm Randomized Controlled Trial

Important dates

Study start
2026
Primary completion
2028
Study completion
2028
First posted
Aug 4, 2026
Registry last updated
Aug 4, 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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