The Impact of High-intensity Interval Training on Postprandial Glucose and Insulin: A Systematic Review and Meta-analysis

Aims: We performed a systematic review and meta-analysis to investigate the effects of high-intensity interval training (HIIT) on postprandial glucose (PPG) and insulin (PPI) versus non-exercise control and moderate-intensity continuous training (MICT) in participants with both normal and impaired glucose.

Methods: The PubMed, Scopus, and Web of Science electronic databases were searched up to October 2021 for randomized trials evaluating HIIT versus control and/or versus MICT on glucose and insulin AUC using oral glucose tolerance testing. Subgroup analyses based on intervention duration (short-duration < 8 weeks, moderate-duration ≥ 8 weeks), baseline glucose levels (normal glucose and impaired glucose) and type of HIIT (L-HIIT and SIT) were also conducted across included studies.

Results: A total of 25 studies involving 870 participants were included in the current meta-analysis. HIIT effectively reduced glucose [-0.37 (95% CI -0.60 to -0.13), p = 0.002] and insulin [-0.36 (95% CI -0.68 to -0.04), p = 0.02] AUC when compared with a CON group. Reductions in glucose AUC were significant for those with impaired glucose at baseline (p = 0.03), but not for those with normal glucose levels (p = 0.11) and following moderate-duration (p = 0.01), but not short-duration interventions (p = 0.18). However, there were no differences in glucose (p = 0.76) or insulin (p = 0.43) AUC between HIIT and MICT intervention arms.

Conclusions: Our results demonstrated that both HIIT and MICT are effective for reducing postprandial glycemia and insulinemia, particularly by moderate-duration interventions, and in those with impaired glucose.