High-Intensity Interval Training as a Tool for Counteracting Dyslipidemia in Women

Sedentary overweight or obese adult (age < 60 years) women, allocated in type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM, n = 13), dyslipidemia alone (DYS, n = 12), dyslipidemia associated with hyperglycaemia (DYSHG, N = 12), or healthy control (CON, n = 10) groups, had their lipid, glucose, blood pressure, endurance performance, and anthropometry variables assessed before and after 16 weeks of a thrice-weekly high-intensity interval training (HIIT) program. Triglycerides reduced significantly (P < 0.05) in all groups, and high-density lipoprotein increased (P < 0.01) in T2DM, DYS and DYSHG; however, low-density lipoprotein reduced (P < 0.05) only in DYSHG, and total cholesterol reduced (P < 0.01) only in DYS and DYSHG. Fasting glucose reduced (P < 0.05) significantly in T2DM, DYS and DYSHG, but with higher decreases in T2DM and DYSHG. Blood pressure, endurance performance and body composition improved (P < 0.05) in all groups. The HIIT program was effective for restoring lipid profile of DYS and DYSHG, and fasting glucose of DYSHG to levels similar to those of CON, with a weekly time commitment 25 % to 56 % lower than the minimum recommended in current exercise guidelines. These findings suggest that HIIT may be a time-efficient intervention for counteracting dyslipidemia.