Exercise Immunology, Exercise Physiology
Conditions
Keywords
High-intensity interval training, moderate-intensity continuous exercise, immune system, ACTH, cortisol, exercise immunology, IL-6
Brief summary
This randomized controlled trial aimed to investigate the effects of a 12-week Whole-Body High-Intensity Interval Training (WB-HIIT) program compared with Moderate-Intensity Continuous Training (MICT) on immune function in recreationally active young adults. Participants were randomly assigned to either WB-HIIT or MICT groups. Immune-related biomarkers and performance outcomes were assessed before and after the intervention. The study sought to determine whether different exercise modalities produce distinct adaptations in immune function.
Detailed description
This study was designed as a two-arm, parallel-group, randomized controlled trial. A total of 20 recreationally active male participants were randomly assigned to either the Whole Body High-Intensity Interval Training (WB-HIIT) group or the Moderate-Intensity Continuous Training (MICT) group. The intervention lasted 12 weeks and involved supervised training sessions multiple times a week. The WB-HIIT protocol consisted of repeated high-intensity whole-body exercises performed at near-maximum effort with intermittent rest periods, while the MICT group performed moderate-intensity continuous aerobic exercise. Immune function was assessed through selected hematological and biochemical markers collected at baseline and post-intervention. In addition, physical performance variables were evaluated to examine secondary adaptations to different exercise modalities. The primary aim of the study was to compare the effects of WB-HIIT and MICT on immune system responses, while secondary outcomes included changes in exercise performance. This study provides insights into how different training intensities affect immune regulation in individuals who are active in their leisure time.
Interventions
Whole-body high-intensity interval training protocol performed under supervision.
Moderate-intensity continuous training protocol performed under supervision.
Sponsors
Bitlis Eren University
Study design
Allocation
RANDOMIZED
Intervention model
PARALLEL
Primary purpose
TREATMENT
Masking
NONE
Masking description
No masking was applied due to the nature of exercise interventions.
Intervention model description
Participants will be randomly assigned to either Whole-Body High-Intensity Interval Training (WB-HIIT) or Moderate-Intensity Continuous Training (MICT) groups.
Eligibility
Sex/Gender
MALE
Age
18 Years to No maximum
Healthy volunteers
Yes
Inclusion criteria
Healthy male adults Aged 18-25 years Not engaged in regular structured exercise training (\>3 sessions/week) VO₂max within normal healthy range Willingness to participate and provide informed consent No acute or chronic inflammatory, metabolic, or cardiovascular disease
Exclusion criteria
Female participants (not included in study design) Smoking or alcohol abuse Use of anti-inflammatory or immunomodulatory drugs Participation in regular high-intensity training programs Musculoskeletal limitations preventing exercise testing or training Acute infection within last 2 weeks Chronic metabolic, cardiovascular, or autoimmune diseases
Design outcomes
Primary
| Measure | Time frame | Description |
|---|---|---|
| Peripheral immune cell counts | Baseline and 8 weeks (post-intervention) | Changes in peripheral blood leukocyte, lymphocyte subsets, neutrophil, and monocyte counts from baseline to post-intervention (8 weeks). |
Secondary
| Measure | Time frame | Description |
|---|---|---|
| Inflammatory cytokine levels | Baseline and 8 weeks (post-intervention) | Changes in serum IL-6, TNF-α, and CRP levels from baseline to post-intervention (8 weeks). |
| Immunoglobulin levels | Baseline and 8 weeks (post-intervention) | Changes in serum immunoglobulin (IgA, IgG, IgM) concentrations from baseline to post-intervention (8 weeks). |
| Cortisol levels | Baseline and 8 weeks (post-intervention) | Changes in serum cortisol levels as a marker of exercise-induced stress response from baseline to post-intervention (8 weeks). |
| Maximal oxygen uptake (VO₂max) | Baseline and 8 weeks (post-intervention) | Changes in VO₂max measured by cardiopulmonary exercise testing from baseline to post-intervention. |
Countries
Turkey (Türkiye)
Contacts
PRINCIPAL_INVESTIGATORMelih Çalışır, PhD
Bitlis Eren Üniversitesi University
Outcome results
None listed