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Metabolic and Nutritional Responses to Acute High-intensity Interval Exercise Performed Under Hypoxic vs. Normoxic Conditions at Matched External Workload in Adults With Overweight and Obesity.

Comparison of HIIT Exercise Under Hypoxic and Normoxic Conditions in Adults With Overweight or Obesity: Impact on Oxygen Consumption, Carbohydrate and Lipid Substrate Utilization, and Appetite During Recovery.

Status
Completed
Phases
Unknown
Study type
Interventional
Source
ClinicalTrials.gov
Registry ID
NCT07814599
Acronym
HYPOXHIIT
Enrollment
18
Registered
2026-09-11
Start date
2024-11-01
Completion date
2026-09-01
Last updated
2026-09-11

For informational purposes only — not medical advice. Sourced from public registries and may not reflect the latest updates. Terms

Conditions

Energy Expenditure, Obesity & Overweight, Substrate Oxidation

Keywords

high intensity interval exercise, hypoxia, substrate oxidation, appetite, energy intake

Brief summary

Obesity management involves lifestyle and dietary measures that include appropriate nutrition and increased physical activity (PA). Among the various PA options available, HIIT (High-Intensity Interval Training) workouts are now recognized as fun and effective programs for promoting fat loss. To date, in overweight or obese individuals, only two studies mention the benefits of HIIT performed under hypoxia for modulating body composition, and more specifically, reducing the amount of adipose tissue. These studies hypothesize an increased energy expenditure under hypoxia associated with a transient loss of appetite. In order, to further investigate the adaptations following HIIT under hypoxia versus normoxia, we propose to compare, in acute conditions, two HIIT sessions (simulated hypoxia-normobaric vs. normoxia) in overweight or obese subjects. The objective of this assessment is to compare, during exercise and recovery (+2h), oxygen consumption, corresponding energy expenditure, and carbohydrate and lipid utilization in hypoxic versus normoxic conditions. Given the potential influence of hypoxia on appetite, spontaneous food intake and energy expenditure post-24h will also be measured. Finally, since pleasure and perceived exertion are key parameters in adherence to an adapted physical activity (APA) program, these two concepts will also be evaluated through the subjects' experiences.

Detailed description

Obesity management involves lifestyle and dietary measures that include appropriate nutrition and increased physical activity (PA). Among the various PA options available, High-intensity interval training (HIIT) is now recognized as a well-tolerated, safe, and effective exercise modality for improving body composition. In 2016, our pioneering study demonstrated that HIIT is more effective than moderate-intensity continuous training (MICT) in inducing abdominal fat loss in postmenopausal women. A subsequent meta-analysis, conducted by our team in 2018 and encompassing 39 articles involving 617 participants, confirmed the significant effects of HIIT on reducing total and abdominal fat mass in overweight or obese individuals More recently, our work has shown significant results from HIIT + resistance training or HIIT cycling vs. running on improving body composition, and more specifically on reducing abdominal and visceral fat mass, in overweight or obese subjects. With a focus on performance, HIIT has been combined with simulated hypoxia to maximize training adaptations, particularly to improve cardiovascular, respiratory, circulatory, hematological, and metabolic capacities at the muscular level. Live Low Train High (LLTH) allows athletes to maintain normoxia while being exposed to acute periods of hypoxia during training via hypoxic chambers (simulated altitude). More recently, research has explored the effects of HIIT under hypoxic conditions in patients with metabolic disorders and/or physical deconditioning, focusing primarily on cardiovascular and ventilatory adaptations. To date, in overweight or obese individuals, only three studies investigated the benefit of HIIT under simulated hypoxia for modulating body composition, and more specifically for reducing total or abdominal fat. These studies generally hypothesize a higher energy expenditure during hypoxia, associated with a transient loss of appetite that may be linked to hormonal disturbances, central nervous system adaptability, or metabolic flexibility altering hunger and satiety signals. In parallel with these hypotheses, hypoxia stimulates HIF-1 production, thus promoting a shift from oxidative metabolism to glycolysis. At the same external mechanical load, the increased use of carbohydrates via glycolysis, combined with increased cardiovascular stress, should promote, during the recovery phase, greater oxygen consumption and lipid oxidation following a hypoxic session. To date, no study has yet evaluated these hypotheses by comparing these parameters following two acute HIIT sessions performed under normoxia or hypoxia. The aim is to compare the influence of these two sessions on oxygen consumption, the corresponding energy expenditure, and carbohydrate and lipid utilization during recovery (+2h). Given the potential influence of hypoxia on appetite, food intake and spontaneous energy expenditure post-24h will also be measured. Finally, since enjoyment and perceived exertion are crucial parameters for adherence to an adapted physical activity (APA) program, these two concepts will also be assessed through the participants' experiences. The authors propose the following hypotheses: Main hypothesis: 1. Lipid oxidation (g/min) during recovery (+2h) will be higher post-hypoxic session. Secondary hypotheses: 2. Oxygen consumption and energy expenditure will be increased during post-hypoxic session recovery. 4/ Energy intake from the post-exercise meal may be lower post-hypoxic condition. 5/ The effort will be perceived as slightly more difficult in hypoxia due to increased cardiovascular demand.

Interventions

OTHERHIIE - Normoxia

Cycling HIIE in Normoxia: 60 x \[8 seconds at a power equivalent to 80-85% of HRmax followed by 12 seconds of active recovery at a power equivalent to 40% of HRmax\]

OTHERHIIE - Hypoxia

Cycling HIIE in Hypoxia (FiO2: 15%): 60 x \[8 seconds at a power equivalent to 80-85% of HRmax followed by 12 seconds of active recovery at a power equivalent to 40% of HRmax\]

Sponsors

Laboratoire des Adaptations Métaboliques à l'Exercice en conditions Physiologiques et Pathologiques
Lead SponsorOTHER
CREPS Vichy Auvergne
CollaboratorUNKNOWN

Study design

Allocation
NON_RANDOMIZED
Intervention model
CROSSOVER
Primary purpose
PREVENTION
Masking
SINGLE (Subject)

Masking description

Data collected on the volunteers will be made anonymous.

Eligibility

Sex/Gender
ALL
Age
50 Years to 70 Years
Healthy volunteers
No

Inclusion criteria

\- overweight or obesity (BMI between 25 kg/m2 and 35 kg/m2)

Exclusion criteria

* medical contraindications to intense physical activity * taking ß-blocker * diabete * women taking hormonal replacement therapy

Design outcomes

Primary

MeasureTime frameDescription
Lipid oxidation after the exercise session (nromoxia and hypoxia).Measurement during two hours after the end of the exerciseDetermination of lipid and carbohydrate oxidation after the exercise (HIIE normoxia and hypoxia). Lipid aoxidation is measured from oxygen and carbon dioxide consumption (Metamax 3D Cortex).

Secondary

MeasureTime frameDescription
Oxygen consumption during the recovery periodTwo hours after the end of the exerciseDetermination of oxygen consumption 2 hours after the exercise session (HIIE normoxia and hypoxia). Determination from Metamax (3D Cortex).
Energy intakes 24 hours after the exercise24 hours post exerciseEvaluation of energy intakes after the exercise session (HIIE normoxia and HIIE hypoxia) during 24 hours (from questionnaires)
AppetiteBefore exercise and after exercise (+0 min, +60 min, and +120 min).Feelings of appetite are measured using a visual appetite scale immediately before and after exercise (+0 min, +60 min, and +120 min).

Countries

France

Outcome results

None listed

Source: ClinicalTrials.gov · Data processed: Sep 12, 2026