Plain English Summary
Background and study aims
Sedentary behaviour (taking part in less than an hour a week of physical activity) is associated with an increased risk of heart disease, type 2 diabetes and some forms of cancer, as well as poorer mental wellbeing. It is a growing problem, and is thought to contribute significantly to the high levels of obesity worldwide. For many people, not having enough time to exercise is often used as an excuse for sedentary behaviour. There is therefore a growing amount of research looking into exercise strategies that involve a shorter time commitment but still provide health benefits. A recent study showed that very brief high-intensity exercise in the form of sprinting, made up of sprints lasting for 6-10 seconds, was found to be motivating and tolerable for participants and can even help to burn fat. The aim of this study is to find out whether taking part in high intensity exercise for six weeks can help improve blood sugar control, BMI and physical fitness in young obese adults.
Who can participate?
Obese adults aged between 18 and 30 who have a sedentary lifestyle.
What does the study involve?
Participants are randomly allocated to one of two groups. Those in the first group take part in the training program, which consists of three training sessions per week for six weeks (a total of 18). Those in the second group do not take part in any training during the 6 weeks and are also asked to consume their normal diet and to maintain their typically sedentary behavior during the training period. At the start of the study, after the program ends and then 24, 72 hours and two weeks after the final session, participants in both groups complete a number of tests in order to assess how well their bodies are able to process sugar, physical characteristics (such as weight) and how physically fit they are.
What are the possible benefits and risks of participating?
Participants will benefit from being informed about their health and fitness levels and could also take advantage of training program to improve their physical fitness and health. There are no direct risks to participants taking part in this study.
Where is the study run from?
University of Moncton (Canada)
When is the study starting and how long is it expected to run for?
January 2014 to June 2014
Who is funding the study?
University of Moncton (Canada)
Who is the main contact?
Dr Jabbour Georges
georges.jabbour@umoncton.ca
Trial website
Contact information
Type
Scientific
Primary contact
Dr Jabbour Georges
ORCID ID
Contact details
School of Kinesiology and Leisure
Faculty of Health Sciences and Community Services
Université de Moncton
Moncton
E1A 3E9
Canada
+1 506 858 3757
georges.jabbour@umoncton.ca
Additional identifiers
EudraCT number
ClinicalTrials.gov number
Protocol/serial number
N/A
Study information
Scientific title
Effect of supramaximal exercise training on performance variables and metabolic changes in obese adults
Acronym
Study hypothesis
The aim of this study is to evaluate the effects of six weeks of supramaximal exercise training (SET) and determine its effects on blood glucose control and insulin resistance, BMI and fitness.
Ethics approval
University’s Human Research Ethics Committee (UHRC) of the University of Moncton, 03/12/2013, ref: 1314-020
Study design
Single-center randomised controlled trial
Primary study design
Interventional
Secondary study design
Randomised controlled trial
Trial setting
Other
Trial type
Treatment
Patient information sheet
Not available in web format, please use the contact details below to request a patient information sheet.
Condition
Obesity
Intervention
At the start of the study, participants undergo two sessions of preliminary testing after an overnight fast to determine athropometric measurements, phsyiological measures (lung capacity and blood pressure) and metabolic testing.
Once the participants completed preliminary testing, they complete a total of 18 training sessions (three sessions per week for six weeks). Each of the prescribed sessions begins with a 5-minute warm-up of continuous cycling at moderate intensity (40% of their individual VO2peak power) followed by 6 repetitions of SET intervals with 2 minutes of passive recovery between each repetition. Each SET repetition lasts for six seconds, and the participants are asked to pedal at maximal velocity against the resistance determined during day three. The total duration of each session is approximately 15 minutes. The training sessions are conducted under the supervision of a member of the research team, and velocities (in RPM) were recorded for each second of the bout to ensure that fixed velocities remained constant.
Post-intervention metabolic and blood pressure measurements are conducted 24-hours, 72-hours and two-weeks after the final training session to obtain information on the potential lasting effects of SET. The post-intervention anthropometric assessment is performed 24 hours after the final SET session, and the post-intervention exercise tests are performed 72 hours after the final SET session.
Intervention type
Other
Phase
Drug names
Primary outcome measure
Insulin resistance (HOMA-IR) is determined by measuring blood glucose and insulin concentrations at baseline, 24 hours, 72 hours and 2 weeks post-intervention.
Secondary outcome measures
1. BMI is calculated as the ratio of mass (kg) to height squared (m2) at baseline and 24 hours post-intervention
2. Maximal oxygen consumption (VO2max) is measured using an incremental maximal test at baseline and 72 hours post-intervention
3. Maximal power is measured using a force-velocity test on a cycle ergometer at baseline and 72 hours post-intervention
4. Blood pressure is measured using an automated blood pressure monitor at baseline, 72 hours and 2 weeks post-intervention
Overall trial start date
10/01/2014
Overall trial end date
01/06/2014
Reason abandoned (if study stopped)
Eligibility
Participant inclusion criteria
1. Aged between 18 an 30 years
2. Obesity (BMI >30 kg/m2)
3. Sedentary (<1 h/week of structured exercise)
Participant type
Healthy volunteer
Age group
Adult
Gender
Both
Target number of participants
24
Participant exclusion criteria
History of cardiovascular or chronic health problems, drug consumption, or smoking.
Recruitment start date
01/02/2014
Recruitment end date
25/02/2014
Locations
Countries of recruitment
Canada
Trial participating centre
University of Moncton
School of Kinesiology and Leisure
Faculty of Health Sciences and Community Services
Moncton
E1A 3E9
Canada
Funders
Funder type
University/education
Funder name
University of Moncton (Université de Moncton)
Alternative name(s)
Funding Body Type
Funding Body Subtype
Location
Results and Publications
Publication and dissemination plan
Planned publication of a study protocol and results paper in an international peer-reviewed scientific journal.
Intention to publish date
31/12/2016
Participant level data
Available on request
Basic results (scientific)
Publication list