Preview

Sports medicine: research and practice

Advanced search

Meta-analysis of the effect of high-intensity interval training on improving blood lipid metabolism in female college students

https://doi.org/10.47529/2223-2524.2025.2.3

Abstract

Purpose of the study: This study used the meta-analysis method to systematically evaluate and compare the intervention effects of HIIT (high-intensity interval training) and MICT (moderate-intensity continuous training) on blood lipid metabolism in obese female college students.

Methods: Publicly published controlled trials on regulating blood lipids with high-intensity interval training were searched through CNKI, Web of science, Scopus, Google Scholar, and Elibrary databases. Meta-analysis was performed on the outcome indicators of 427 subjects in the 7 included articles.

Results: Among the included literature, the number of articles reporting blood lipid health outcomes were: 6 articles for TC, 7 articles for TG, 7 articles for LDL-C, and 5 articles for HDL-C. Studies investigating the effects of HIIT on TC, TG, LDL-C, and HDL-C exhibited low heterogeneity; therefore, a fixed-effects model was used. HIIT significantly improved TC (SMD = -0.71, I² = 30.10 %, 95 % CI: -1.05 to -0.38, p = 0.21), TG (SMD = -0.46, I² = 38.48 %, 95 % CI: -0.77 to -0.16, p = 0.14), LDL-C (SMD = -0.33, I² = 6.13 %, 95 % CI: -0.58 to -0.09, p = 0.38), and HDL-C (SMD = 0.23, I² = 2.28 %, 95 % CI: -0.07 to 0.53, p = 0.38).

Conclusion: Compared with MICT, intervention through HIIT training in female college students can effectively improve blood lipid-related indicators such as TC, TG, LDL-C, and HDL-C. This finding can provide theoretical and practical basis for exercise intervention in the physical and mental health development of female college students. However, the study also has some limitations. Due to the constraints of the number of included studies and the complexity of HIIT exercise protocols, the above conclusions still need to be verified by more high-quality RCT to ensure the reliability and applicability of the findings.

About the Authors

Yu Jun
The Russian University of Sports “GTSOLIFK”
Russian Federation

Yu Jun, PhD student, Department of Basketball Theory and Methodology

Russia, Moscow, 105122, Lilac Boulevard 4k1



Wang Huan
The Russian University of Sports “GTSOLIFK”; Jilin Sports University
China

Wang Huan, PhD student, departments of Speed skating, figure skating, and curling Theory and Methodology

Russia, Moscow, 105122, Lilac Boulevard 4k1;

China, 130022, Changchun, 2476 Nanling Street, Huayang Neighborhood, Ziyu Street



Yu Haotong
The Russian University of Sports “GTSOLIFK”
Russian Federation

Yu Haotong, PhD student, Department of Psychology, Philosophy and Sociology

Russia, Moscow, 105122, Lilac Boulevard 4k1



References

1. Zhu Z., Wu F., Lu Y., Wang Z., Zang J., Yu H., et al. The Association of Dietary Cholesterol and Fatty Acids with Dyslipidemia in Chinese Metropolitan Men and Women. Nutrients. 2018;10(08):961. https://doi.org/10.3390/nu10080961

2. Deng X., Zhang M., Zhang X., Huang Z., Zhao Z., Li C., Mudoti N.G., Wang L., Wu J. The Status of Blood Lipids Among Children and Adolescents — China, 2016–2017. China CDC Weekly. 2023;5(2):31–34. https://doi.org/10.46234/ccdcw2023.006

3. Jia Na, Huang Cheng, Xia Chenxi. The effect of exercise training on lipid profile. Chinese Circulation Journal, 2023;38(1):96–100. (In Chinese). https://doi.org/10.3969/j.issn.1000-3614.2023.01.012

4. Alfhili M.A., Alsughayyir J., Basudan A.M., Ghneim H.K., Alfaifi M., Alamri H.S., Awan Z.A., Algethami M.R. Patterns of Dyslipidemia in the Anemic and Nonanemic Hypertensive Saudi Population: A Cross-Sectional Study. Int. J. Gen. Med. 2022;15:7895–7906. https://doi.org/10.2147/IJGM.S379597

5. du Souich P., Roederer G., Dufour R. Myotoxicity of statins: Mechanism of action. Pharmac. Ther. 2017;175:1–16. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.pharmthera.2017.02.029

6. Björnsson E.S. Hepatotoxicity of statins and other lipid-lowering agents. Liver International, 2017;37(02):173–178. https://doi.org/10.1111/liv.13308

7. Armitage J., Bowman L., Wallendszus K., Bulbulia R., Rahimi K., Haynes R., et al. Intensive lowering of LDL cholesterol with 80 mg versus 20 mg simvastatin daily in 12 064 survivors of myocardial infarction: a double-blind randomised trial. Lancet. 2010;376(9753):1658. https://doi.org/10.1016/S0140-6736(10)60310-8

8. Suder A., Makiel K., Targosz A., Maciejczyk M., Kosowski P., Haim A. Exercise-induced effects on asprosin and indices of atherogenicity and insulin resistance in males with metabolic syndrome: a randomized controlled trial. Sci. Rep. 2024;14(1):985. https://doi.org/10.1038/s41598-024-51473-1

9. Ben-Zeev T., Okun E. High-Intensity Functional Training: Molecular Mechanisms and Benefits. Neuromolecular Med. 2021;23(3):335–338. https://doi.org/10.1007/s12017-020-08638-8

10. Wisloff Ulrik, Ellingsen Oyvind, Kemi Ole J. High-Intensity Interval Training to Maximize Cardiac Benefits of Exercise Training? Exerc. Sport Sci. Rev. 2009;37(03):139–146. https://doi.org/10.1097/JES.0b013e3181aa65fc

11. Atakan M.M., Li Y., Koşar Ş.N., Turnagöl H.H., Yan X. Evidence-Based Effects of High-Intensity Interval Training on Exercise Capacity and Health: A Review with Historical Perspective. Int. J. Environ. Res Public Health. 2021;18(13):7201. https://doi.org/10.3390/ijerph18137201

12. Hargreaves M., Spriet L.L. Skeletal Muscle Energy Metabolism During Exercise. Nat. Metab. 2020;2(9):990. https://doi.org/10.1038/s42255-020-00290-7

13. Gibala M.J., Jones A.M. Physiological and performance adaptations to high-intensity interval training. Nestle Nutr. Inst. Workshop Ser. 2013;76:51–60. https://doi.org/10.1159/000350256

14. Lin Jian, Zhao Hongqin, Huang Xiongang, Liu Xiaolin, Zhang Rui. Seffect of High Intensity Interval Training on the Body Composition. Blood Lipid and Fasting Insulin Level of Obese Female College Students. Chinese General Practice. 2016;19(18):2139–2144. (In Chinese). https://doi.org/10.3969/j.issn.1007-9572.2016.18.006

15. Chi Guijun, Liu Yuanyuan, Han Dong, Liang Yiwei, Sun Jianli. A Study on the interaction Effect of High Intensity Cycle Training (HICT) on Obese Female College Students in Normal Universities. Journal of Tangshan Normal University. 2023;45(3):79–83. Available at: https://cstj.cqvip.com/Qikan/Article/Detail?id=7110131307. (In Chinese).

16. Liu Chaohui, Pang Yajun, Meng Huili, Jiao Jie. Effect of sedentary interval intervention on body composition and blood lipid metabolism of obese female college student. Chinese Journal of School Health. 2023,44(8):1140–1144. (In Chinese). https://doi.org/10.16835/j.cnki.1000-9817.2023.08.005

17. Cai Xiaolin. Impacts of High-Intensity Interval Training on Body Composition of Female University Students. Revista Brasileira de Medicina do Esporte. 2023;29:e2023_0053. https://doi.org/10.1590/1517-8692202329012023_0053

18. Lu Y., Wiltshire H.D., Baker J.S., Wang Q., Ying S. The Effect of Tabata-Style Functional High-Intensity Interval Training on Cardiometabolic Health and Physical Activity in Female University Students. Front. Physiol. 2023;14:1095315. https://doi.org/10.3389/fphys.2023.1095315

19. Wang Peng, Liu Baoliang, Liu Yan, Jiang Di. Effects of different intensity of exercise combined with dietary intervention on body composition, lipid metabolism and gut microbiota in obese nonalcoholic fatty liver disease female college students oholic fatty liver disease female college students. Chinese Journal of School Health. 2023;44(8):1169–1173. Available at: https://med.wanfangdata.com.cn/Paper/Detail?id=PeriodicalPaper_zgxxws202308013&dbid=WF_QK. (In Chinese).

20. Liu Juan, Lu Wenjuan, Liu Fuding. Effects of a Low-Calorie Diet Combined With High-Intensity Interval Training on Body Composition, Glycolipid Metabolism and Cardiopulmonary Function in Female Overweight College Students. Practical Preventive Medicine. 2025;32(4):448–452. https://doi.org/10.3969/j.issn.1006-3110.2025.04.014

21. O’Donovan G., Blazevich A.J., Boreham C., Cooper A.R., Crank H., Ekelund U., et al. The ABC of physical activity for health: a consensus statement from the British Association of Sport and Exercise Sciences. J. Sports Sci. 2010;28(6):573–591. https://doi.org/10.1080/02640411003671212

22. Dubonosova S.V. Reasons for sports discontinuation: a retrospective analysis of the physical activity in medical students. Sports medicine: research and practice. 2023;13(1):21–27. (In Russ.). https://doi.org/10.47529/2223-2524.2023.1.3

23. Wu C.H., Zhao Y.D., Yin F.Q., Yi Y., Geng L., Xu X. Mental Fatigue and Sports Performance of Athletes: Theoretical Explanation, Influencing Factors, and Intervention Methods. Behav. Sci. (Basel). 2024;14(12):1125. https://doi.org/10.3390/bs14121125

24. Plizga J., Jaworski A., Grajnert F., Gluszczyk A., Surma A., Cecot J., et al. High-Intensity Interval Training - health benefits and risks - literature review. Quality in Sport. 2024;18:53359. https://doi.org/10.12775/QS.2024.18.53359

25. Poon E.T., Siu P.M., Wongpipit W., Gibala M., Wong S.H., et al. Alternating high-intensity interval training and continuous training is efficacious in improving cardiometabolic health in obese middle-aged men. J. Exerc. Sci. Fit. 2022;20(1):40–47. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jesf.2021.11.003

26. Tormaa F., Gombosa Z., Jokaia M., Takeda M., Mimura T., Radak Z. High intensity interval training and molecular adaptive response of skeletal muscle. Sports Med. Health Sci. 2019;1(1):24–32. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.smhs.2019.08.003

27. Boutcher S.H. High-Intensity Intermittent Exercise and Fat Loss. J. Obes. 2011;868305. https://doi.org/10.1155/2011/868305

28. Talanian J.L., Galloway S.D., Heigenhauser G.J., Bonen A., Spriet L.L. Two weeks of high-intensity aerobic interval training increases the capacity for fat oxidation during exercise in women. J. Appl. Physiol. 2007;102(4):1439–1447. https://doi.org/10.1152/japplphysiol.01098.2006

29. Li Yu, Chang Mengmeng, Liu Yang. Re-recognition of fat burning in exercise: research progress on fat-reducing mechanism of HIIT. Chinese Bulletin of Life Sciences. 2023;35(9):1120–1127. (In Chinese). https://doi.org/10.13376/j.cbls/2023123


Supplementary files

Review

For citations:


Jun Yu., Huan W., Haotong Yu. Meta-analysis of the effect of high-intensity interval training on improving blood lipid metabolism in female college students. Sports medicine: research and practice. https://doi.org/10.47529/2223-2524.2025.2.3

Views: 29


Creative Commons License
This work is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution 4.0 License.


ISSN 2223-2524 (Print)
ISSN 2587-9014 (Online)