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July 22, 2026MetabolitesOpen Access

HIIT boosts VO2max by ~8 mL/kg/min and lowers body weight vs control in inactive individuals.

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Why the study?

Does high-intensity interval training improve body composition and cardiometabolic outcomes in physically inactive individuals compared with non-exercise control or moderate-intensity continuous training?

Population

24 randomized trials involving 877 physically inactive individuals

Comparison

High-intensity interval training (HIIT) vs Non-exercise control and moderate-intensity…

Design

Meta-analysis, Randomized trials included

Key result

High-intensity interval training increased maximal oxygen uptake (WMD 7.72 mL/kg/min) and reduced body weight (WMD -1.60 kg) compared with non-exercise control in inactive individuals.

Authors

CLCunyu LanXi'an Physical Education UniversityBLBeibei LeiFirst Affiliated Hospital of Henan UniversityJLJuerui LiXi'an Physical Education University

Discussion

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Member takes

Overview

Supports HIIT for inactive adults; extends inconsistent prior evidence from pooled RCTs.

Study Design

Type

Meta-Analysis (n=877)

Structured PICO

Does high-intensity interval training improve body composition and cardiometabolic outcomes in physically inactive individuals compared with non-exercise control or moderate-intensity continuous training?

P
Population
877 physically inactive individuals from 24 randomized trials evaluating high-intensity interval training.
I
Intervention
High-intensity interval training (HIIT)
C
Comparator
Non-exercise control (CON) and moderate-intensity continuous training (MICT)
O
Outcome
Body composition and cardiometabolic outcomes (including body weight, blood pressure, lipids, and VO2max)surrogate

Main Result

Mean Difference: 7.72

High-intensity interval training may improve selected body composition and cardiometabolic outcomes, particularly VO2max, in physically inactive individuals, though the certainty of evidence is low.

Limitations

  • Certainty of evidence for most outcomes was low or very low
  • Several findings were sensitive to individual-study removal
  • Incomplete reporting
  • Insufficient evidence to establish equivalence to MICT or identify an optimal HIIT protocol
  • Certainty of evidence was low or very low
  • All studies had at least some concerns for risk of bias, with five at high risk

Cite This Study

Lan et al. (2026) conducted a meta-analysis in physically inactive individuals (n=877). High-intensity interval training (HIIT) vs. Non-exercise control (CON) and moderate-intensity continuous training (MICT) was evaluated on maximal oxygen uptake (VO2max) (WMD 7.72). High-intensity interval training increased maximal oxygen uptake (WMD 7.72 mL/kg/min) and reduced body weight (WMD -1.60 kg) compared with non-exercise control in inactive individuals.

synapsesocial.com/papers/6a62c25150935c8f48099036https://doi.org/10.3390/metabo16070514
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