PURPOSE: To compare two modalities of exercise training (ie, endurance training (ET) and high-intensity interval training (HIT)) on health-related parameters in obese children aged between 8 and 12 years. METHODS: Thirty obese children were randomly allocated into either the ET or HIT group. The ET group performed a 30 to 60-minute continuous exercise at 80% of the peak heart rate (HR). The HIT group training performed 3 to 6 sets of 60-s sprint at 100% of the peak velocity interspersed by a 3-min active recovery period at 50% of the exercise velocity. HIT sessions last about 70% less than ET sessions. At baseline and after 12 weeks of intervention, aerobic fitness, body composition and metabolic parameters were assessed. RESULTS: Both the absolute (ET 26.0%; HIT 19.0%) and the relative VO2peak (ET 13.1%; HIT 14.6%) were significantly increased in both groups after the intervention. Additionally, the total time of exercise (ET 19.5%; HIT 16.4%) and the peak velocity during the maximal graded cardiorespiratory test (ET 16.9%; HIT 13.4%) were significantly improved across interventions. Insulinemia (ET 29.4%; HIT 30.5%) and HOMA-index (ET 42.8%; HIT 37.0%) were significantly lower for both groups at POST when compared to PRE. Body mass was significantly reduced in the HIT (2.6%), but not in the ET group (1.2%). A significant reduction in BMI was observed for both groups after the intervention (ET 3.0%; HIT 5.0%). The responsiveness analysis revealed a very similar pattern of the most responsive variables among groups. CONCLUSION: HIT and ET were equally effective in improving important health related parameters in obese youth.

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