Comparative effects of Home-Based vs. Gym-Based Interval Training on Cardiovascular Fitness and Metabolic Health in Sedentary Women
DOI:
https://doi.org/10.11606/issn.2176-7262.rmrp.2025.221584Keywords:
Anthropometry, Cardiometabolic risk factors, Covid-19, HIIT, WomenAbstract
Background: The unfavorable health repercussions associated with physical inactivity during the COVID-19 period are still not well understood. This study aimed to compare the cardiovascular fitness and metabolic health effects of the same training program between two groups of sedentary women over 50 years of age. Methods: One group performed home-based high-intensity functional training (HIFT-WEB) with online supervision, while the other group received in-person training (HIFT-PRES) with local supervision. Sixteen women were assigned to HIFT-WEB, and fourteen to HIFT-PRES. Cardiorespiratory fitness, body composition, and cardiometabolic health biomarkers were assessed before and after 12 weeks of training. Results: Significant improvements were observed in both groups for VO2max, resting heart rate, blood pressure, fat and lean mass percentages, as well as waist and hip circumferences, with excellent adherence and attendance. However, there were no significant improvements in lipid profile, glycemic control, or HOMA-IR. Overall, there doesn't appear to be a significant difference in the outcomes regarding training mode. Conclusions: This suggests that home-based HIFT is a viable alternative to improving health of women over the age of fifty during periods of compulsory social isolation such as during COVID-19.
Downloads
References
Ravalli S, Musumeci G. Coronavirus outbreak in Italy: Physiological benefits of home-based exercise during pandemic. Journal of Functional Morphology and Kinesiology. 2020;5(31).
Chaabene H, Prieske O, Herz M, Moran J, Höhne J, Kliegl R, et al. Home-based exercise programmes improve physical fitness of healthy older adults: A PRISMA-compliant systematic review and meta-analysis with relevance for COVID-19. Ageing Research Reviews. 2021;67(February).
Sinclair AJ, Abdelhafiz AH. Cardiometabolic disease in the older person: Prediction and prevention for the generalist physician. Cardiovascular Endocrinology and Metabolism. 2020;90–5.
Martins FM, de Paula Souza A, Nunes PRP, Michelin MA, Murta EFC, Resende EAMR, et al. High-intensity body weight training is comparable to combined training in changes in muscle mass, physical performance, inflammatory markers and metabolic health in postmenopausal women at high risk for type 2 diabetes mellitus: A randomized controlled cl. Experimental Gerontology. 2018;107(February):108–15.
Jelleyman C, Yates T, O’Donovan G, Gray LJ, King JA, Khunti K, et al. The effects of high-intensity interval training on glucose regulation and insulin resistance: A meta-analysis. Obesity Reviews. 2015;16(11):942–61.
Tibana RA, Manuel Frade de Sousa N, Prestes J, da Cunha Nascimento D, Ernesto C, Falk Neto JH, et al. Is Perceived Exertion a Useful Indicator of the Metabolic and Cardiovascular Responses to a Metabolic Conditioning Session of Functional Fitness? Sports. 2019;7(7):161.
Gibala MJ. Interval Training for Cardiometabolic Health: Why Such A HIIT? Current Sports Medicine Reports. 2018;17(5):148–50.
Izadi MR, Ghardashi Afousi A, Asvadi Fard M, Babaee Bigi MA. High-intensity interval training lowers blood pressure and improves apelin and NOx plasma levels in older treated hypertensive individuals. Journal of Physiology and Biochemistry. 2018;74(1):47–55.
Jabbour G, Iancu HD. Comparison of performance and health indicators between perimenopausal and postmenopausal obese women: The effect of high-intensity interval training (HIIT). Menopause. 2021;28(1):50–7.
Brisebois MF, Rigby BR, Nichols DL. Physiological and fitness adaptations after eight weeks of high-intensity functional training in physically inactive adults. Sports. 2018;6(4).
Weston KS, Wisløff U, Coombes JS. High-intensity interval training in patients with lifestyle-induced cardiometabolic disease: a systematic review and meta-analysis. British journal of sports medicine. agosto de 2014;48(16):1227–34.
Philippot A, Moulin P, Charon MH, Balestra C, Dubois V, de Timary P, et al. Feasibility of Online High-Intensity Interval Training (HIIT) on Psychological Symptoms in Students in Lockdown During the COVID-19 Pandemic: A Randomized Controlled Trial. Front Psychiatry. 21 de junho de 2022;13:904283.
Reljic D, Eichhorn A, Herrmann HJ, Neurath MF, Zopf Y. Very Low-Volume, High-Intensity Interval Training Mitigates Negative Health Impacts of COVID-19 Pandemic-Induced Physical Inactivity. International Journal of Environmental Research and Public Health. janeiro de 2022;19(19):12308.
Peixoto SV, Mambrini JV de M, Firmo JOA, de Loyola Filho AI, de Souza Junior PRB, de Andrade FB, et al. Physical activity practice among older adults: results of the ELSI-Brazil. Revista de Saúde Pública. 2019;52(Suppl 2):5s.
Blackwell J, Atherton PJ, Smith K, Doleman B, Williams JP, Lund JN, et al. The efficacy of unsupervised home-based exercise regimens in comparison to supervised laboratory-based exercise training upon cardio-respiratory health facets. Physiol Rep. 2017;5(17).
Scott SN, Shepherd SO, Andrews RC, Narendran P, Purewal TS, Kinnafick F, et al. A multidisciplinary evaluation of a virtually supervised home-based high-intensity interval training intervention in people with type 1 diabetes. Diabetes Care. 2019;42(12):2330–3.
Foster C, Florhaug JA, Franklin J, Gottschall L, Hrovatin LA, Parker S, et al. A New Approach to Monitoring Exercise Training. Journal of Strength and Conditioning Research. 2001;15(1):109–15.
Littbrand H, Erik Rosendahl, Nina Lindelöf. The HIFE Program THE HIgH-Intensity Functional Exercise Program second edition. 2014;
Kline GM, Porcari JP, Hintermeister R, Freedson PS, Ward A, McCarron RF, et al. Estimation of VO2maxfrom a one-mile track walk, gender, age, and body weight. Vol. 19, Medicine and Science in Sports and Exercise. 1987. p. 253–9.
Malachias MVB et al. 7th Brazilian Guideline of Arterial Hypertension: Chapter 1 - Concept, Epidemiology and Primary Prevention. Arq Bras Cardiol. 2016;107 (3 Sup(Cvd):1–6.
Lemos T, Gallagher D. Current body composition measurement techniques. Current Opinion in Endocrinology, Diabetes and Obesity. 2017;24(5):310–4.
World Health Organisation (WHO). WHO | Waist Circumference and Waist–Hip Ratio. Report of a WHO Expert Consultation. Geneva, 8-11 December 2008. 2008;(December):8–11.
World Health Organisation (WHO). Obesity: preventing and managing the global epidemic. Report of a World Health Organization Consultation. 2000.
Browning LM, Hsieh SD, Ashwell M. A systematic review of waist-to-height ratio as a screening tool for the prediction of cardiovascular disease and diabetes: 05 could be a suitable global boundary value. Nutrition Research Reviews. 2010;23(2):247–69.
Diniz M de FHS, Beleigoli AMR, Schmidt MI, Duncan BB, Ribeiro ALP, Vidigal PG, et al. Homeostasis model assessment of insulin resistance (HOMA-IR) and metabolic syndrome at baseline of a multicentric Brazilian cohort: ELSA-Brasil study. Cadernos de Saude Publica. 2020;36(8).
Hopkins WG, Marshall SW, Batterham AM, Hanin J. Progressive Statistics for Studies in Sports Medicine and Exercise Science. Medicine & Science in Sports & Exercise. janeiro de 2009;41(1):3–12.
Sian TS, Inns TB, Gates A, Doleman B, Bass JJ, Atherton PJ, et al. Equipment ‑ free , unsupervised high intensity interval training elicits significant improvements in the physiological resilience of older adults. BMC Geriatrics. 2022;1–11.
Müller CB, da Veiga RS, dos Santos Pinheiro E, Del Vecchio FB, Zanesco A. Home-based high-intensity interval training can improve physical performance in young female athletes during a quarantine. Motriz: Revista de Educação Física. 10 de dezembro de 2021;28.
Diniz M de FHS, Beleigoli AMR, Schmidt MI, Duncan BB, Ribeiro ALP, Vidigal PG, et al. Homeostasis model assessment of insulin resistance (HOMA-IR) and metabolic syndrome at baseline of a multicentric Brazilian cohort: ELSA-Brasil study. Cadernos de Saude Publica. 2020;36(8).
Faludi AA, de Oliveira Izar MC, Saraiva JFK, Chacra APM, Bianco HT, Neto AA, et al. Update of the Brazilian guidelines on dyslipidemias and prevention of atherosclerosis - 2017. Arquivos Brasileiros de Cardiologia. 2017;109(2):1–76.
Batacan RB, Duncan MJ, Dalbo VJ, Tucker PS, Fenning AS. Effects of high-intensity interval training on cardiometabolic health: A systematic review and meta-analysis of intervention studies. British Journal of Sports Medicine. 2017;51(6):494–503.
Krist AH, Tong ST, Aycock RA, Longo DR. Engaging patients in decision-making and behavior change topromote prevention. Stud Health Technol Inform. 2017;240:284–302.
Downloads
Published
Issue
Section
License
Copyright (c) 2025 Ronaldo Germano Driemeier, Guilherme Welter Wendt, Clair Azzolini-Filho, Geraldo Emílio Vicentini
This work is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution 4.0 International License.
