The Impact of High Intensity Interval Training and Anthropometric Changes in Women

This mini review highlights three recent pilot studies that have shown promising results in women, specific to the impact of high intensity interval training (HIIT) and changes in anthropometric measurements in women. The first study observed the effects of HIIT on anthropometric, body composition and resting metabolic rate (RMR) measurement changes in sedentary, overweight, middle-aged women over a 12-week period [1]. The subjects (N=9) were female volunteers (51.35.5years; 77.206.12 kg body wt; BMI=28.92.1 kg/m2; mean+SD) who exercised five out of seven days for 12 weeks. The exercise program (15.0±3.0 min) consisted of five different exercise routines that included total body, lower extremity, yoga, cardio and abdominal segments. Relative body fat was measured via air displacement plethysmography, along with five anthropometric measurements and RMR (Vmax metabolic system) prior to and after 12 weeks. Dependent t-tests probed for significant differences (p≤0.05). Pre-post body weight and RMR were not statistically significantly different. However, four of the five pre-post anthropometric measurements were significantly reduced for the abdomen, hips, waist and thigh measurements (97.795.11 vs. 91.955.64; 104.90 5.33 vs.100.845.33; 84.257.57 vs. 80.267.36; 62.995.08 vs.59.184.82 cm, meanSD). This work is suggestive that HIIT contributes to significant anthropometric reductions, in the abdomen, hips, waist and thighs, which may decrease chronic disease development, such as obesity, cardiovascular disease and diabetes.