Exercise can have anti-inflammatory effects in obesity, but the optimal type and intensity of exercise are not clear. This study compared short-term high-intensity interval training (HIIT) with moderate-intensity continuous training (MICT) in terms of improvement in cardiorespiratory fitness, markers of inflammation, and glucose control in previously inactive adults at elevated risk of developing type 2 diabetes. Thirty-nine inactive, overweight/obese adults (32 women) were randomly assigned to 10 sessions over 2 wk of progressive HIIT (n = 20, four to ten 1-min sessions at about 90% peak heart rate, 1-min rest periods) or MICT (n = 19, 20 to 50 min at about 65% peak heart rate). Before and 3 days after training, participants performed a peak O2 uptake test, and fasting blood samples were obtained. Both HIIT (1.8 +/- 0.4 versus 1.9 +/- 0.4 l/min, pre versus post) and MICT (1.8 +/- 0.5 versus 1.9 +/- 0.5 l/min, pre versus post) improved peak O2 uptake (p < 0.001) and lowered plasma fructosamine (p < 0.05). Toll-like receptor (TLR) 4 (TLR4) expression was reduced on lymphocytes and monocytes after both HIIT and MICT (p < 0.05) and on neutrophils after MICT (p < 0.01). TLR2 on lymphocytes was reduced after HIIT and MICT (p < 0.05). Plasma inflammatory cytokines were unchanged after training in both groups, but MICT led to a reduction in fasting plasma glucose (p < 0.05, 5.9 +/- 1.0 versus 5.6 +/- 1.0 mmol/l, pre versus post). Ten days of either HIIT or MICT can improve cardiorespiratory fitness and glucose control and lead to reductions in TLR2 and TLR4 expression. MICT, which involved a longer duration of exercise, may be superior for reducing fasting glucose.

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