This study proposes to examine the independent and combined effects of an 8-week home-based, equipment-free HIIT exercise intervention with/without Mediterranean diet through ghrelin-mediated alteration in overweight and obese metabolic women to improve cardiovascular-risk related markers and metabolic risk factors.
This is a randomised-controlled study investigating the independent and combined effects of a home-based, equipment-free high intensity interval training (HIIT) exercise intervention with/without the Mediterranean diet (MedDiet) through ghrelin-mediated alteration on body composition, cardiovascular risk-related markers, metabolic markers and obesity-related hormones in postmenopausal women. The intervention will last for 8-weeks, with three arms comprising of 1) exercise only (Ex); 2) exercise and MedDiet (Ex+MedDiet); 3) control (no intervention).
Study Type
INTERVENTIONAL
Allocation
RANDOMIZED
Purpose
PREVENTION
Masking
NONE
Enrollment
60
Unsupervised, home-based, equipment-free high-intensity interval training of 20 minutes exercise performed 3 times a week, for a duration of 8-weeks. Participants will perform exercises to their own suitability in a progressive manner throughout the 8-weeks. Exercises will be exerted at least ≥80% of predicted heart rate maximum (HRmax; 220-age) during the high-intensity intervals, as well as at least 17 out of 20 Rate of Perceived Exertion on the Borg Scale.
Participants in Ex+MedDiet arm adhere to a non-caloric restrictive Mediterranean diet throughout the 8-weeks comprising of a diet encompassing a focus on minimally processed food, incorporating a wide variety of fruits, vegetables, legumes and wholegrains, whilst utilising olive oil as the main source of fat. They will be encouraged to eat more oily and white fish, with moderate consumption of nuts, poultry and dairy products, and low consumption of red/processed meat and alcohol. Participants will also perform unsupervised, home-based, equipment-free high-intensity interval training of 20 minutes exercise performed 3 times a week, for a duration of 8-weeks. Participants will perform exercises to their own suitability in a progressive manner throughout the 8-weeks. Exercises will be exerted at least ≥80% of predicted heart rate maximum (HRmax; 220-age) during the high-intensity intervals, as well as at least 17 out of 20 Rate of Perceived Exertion on the Borg Scale.
Swansea University
Swansea, United Kingdom
Visceral adiposity index (VAI)
Assessed at baseline and post-intervention (Week 1 and Week 8). VAI calculated based on their waist circumference, BMI, triglycerides and HDL cholesterol levels. Waist circumference will be recorded in centimetres. BMI will be combined based on weight (kilograms) and height (metres) as kg/m\^2. Triglycerides and HDL cholesterol levels will be assessed from fasting blood collected from the antecubital vein via venepuncture. Triglycerides and HDL will be recorded in mmol/L.
Time frame: Baseline to 8 weeks
Inflammatory markers
Assessed at baseline and post-intervention (Week 1 and Week 8). IL-6, CRP, IL-10, TNF-α will be assessed from fasting blood collected from the antecubital vein via venepuncture.
Time frame: Baseline to 8 weeks
Blood lipid levels
Assessed at baseline and post-intervention (Week 1 and Week 8). Triglycerides, high-density lipoprotein (HDL), low-density lipoprotein (LDL), total cholesterol will be assessed from fasting blood collected from the antecubital vein via venepuncture. All blood lipids will be recorded in mmol/L.
Time frame: Baseline to 8 weeks
Blood pressure
Assessed at baseline and post-intervention (Week 1 and Week 8). Systolic and diastolic blood pressure will be obtained from the participant's left arm after resting for at least 10 minutes. Blood pressure will be recorded in mmHg.
Time frame: Baseline to 8 weeks
Insulin resistance index (HOMA-IR)
Assessed at baseline and post-intervention (Week 1 and Week 8). Calculated based on blood glucose levels (mmol/L) and insulin (pmol/L) from fasting blood collected from the antecubital vein via venepuncture.
Time frame: Baseline to 8 weeks
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Circulatory levels of ghrelin
Assessed at baseline and post-intervention (Week 1 and Week 8). Fasting circulatory levels of acyl and des-acyl ghrelin will be assessed from fasting blood collected from the antecubital vein via venepuncture. Acyl and des-acyl ghrelin will be recorded in pg/mL.
Time frame: Baseline to 8 weeks