Effects of a Cycling versus Running HIIT Program on Fat Mass Loss and Gut Microbiota Composition in Men with Overweight/Obesity

Annaëlle Couvert (1, 2) , Leslie Goumy (1) , Florie Maillard (1) , Alexandre Esbrat (1) , Kassandra Lanchais (1) , Célia Saugrain (1) , Charlotte Verdier (1) , Eric Doré (1, 2) , Caroline Chevarin (3) , Djamel Adjtoutah (4) , Claire Morel (5) , Bruno Pereira (6) , Vincent Martin (1, 2, 7) , Antonio H. Lancha Jr. (8) , Nicolas Barnich (3) , Benoît Chassaing (9) , Mélanie Rance (5) , Nathalie Boisseau (1, 2)

1 AME2P - Laboratoire des Adaptations Métaboliques à l'Exercice en Conditions Physiologiques et Pathologiques
2 CRNH A - Centre de Recherche en Nutrition Humaine Auvergne [CHU Clermont-Ferrand]
3 M2iSH - Microbes, Intestin, Inflammation et Susceptibilité de l'Hôte
4 Centre Hospitalier Vichy
5 CREPS Auvergne Rhône Alpes [Vichy]
6 Unité de Biostatistiques [CHU Clermont-Ferrand]
7 IUF - Institut universitaire de France
8 USP - Universidade de São Paulo = University of São Paulo
9 IC UM3 (UMR 8104 / U1016) - Institut Cochin

Purpose: High-intensity interval training (HIIT) can efficiently decrease total and (intra-) abdominal fat mass (FM); however, the effects of running versus cycling HIIT programs on FM reduction have not been compared yet. Additionally, the link between HIIT-induced FM reduction and gut microbiota must be better investigated. The aim of this study was to compare the effects of two 12-week HIIT isoenergetic programs (cycling vs. running) on body composition and fecal microbiota composition in nondieting men with overweight or obesity. Methods: Sixteen men (age: 54.2±9.6 years; BMI: 29.9±2.3 kg.m-2) were randomly assigned to the HIIT-BIKE (10x45s at 80-85% of HRmax, 90s active recovery) or HIIT-RUN (9x45s at 80-85% of HRmax, 90s active recovery) group (3 times per week). DXA was used to determine body composition. Pre- and post-intervention fecal microbiota composition was analyzed by 16S rRNA gene sequencing, and diet was controlled. Results: Overall, body weight, abdominal and visceral FM decreased over time (p<0.05). No difference was observed for weight, total body FM and visceral FM between groups (% change). Conversely, abdominal FM loss was greater in the HIIT-RUN group (-16.1% vs -8.3%; p=0.050). The α-diversity of gut microbiota did not vary between baseline and intervention end and between groups, but was associated with abdominal FM change (r =-0.6; p =0.02). The baseline microbiota profile and composition changes were correlated with total and abdominal/visceral FM losses. Conclusions: Both cycling and running isoenergetic HIIT programs improved body composition in men with overweight/obesity. Baseline intestinal microbiota composition and its post-intervention variations were correlated with FM reduction, strengthening the possible link between these parameters. The mechanisms underlying the greater abdominal FM loss in the HIIT-RUN group require additional investigations

Mots clés: High-intensity interval training; cycling; running; body composition; gut microbiota; health

Domaines: Sciences du Vivant [q-bio]

Annaëlle Couvert, Leslie Goumy, Florie Maillard, Alexandre Esbrat, Kassandra Lanchais, et al.. Effects of a Cycling versus Running HIIT Program on Fat Mass Loss and Gut Microbiota Composition in Men with Overweight/Obesity. Medicine and Science in Sports and Exercise, 2024, ⟨10.1249/MSS.0000000000003376⟩. ⟨hal-04402695⟩