Hybrid-type, multicomponent interval training upregulates musculoskeletal fitness of adults with overweight and obesity in a volume-dependent manner: A 1-year dose-response randomised controlled trial

ABSTRACT

This study examined the dose-response effects of a 1-year hybrid-type, multicomponent interval training programme (DoIT) on various musculoskeletal fitness parameters in inactive overweight and obese adults in a gym setting. Ninety-seven middle-aged (44.8 ± 5.2 years) individuals with overweight/obesity (31.2 ± 5.7 kg/m²) (66% female) were randomly assigned to the following groups: (i) no-intervention control (CON, n = 29), (ii) DoIT performed once weekly (DoIT-1, n = 24), (iii) DoIT performed twice weekly (DoIT-2, n = 23) and (iv) DoIT performed thrice weekly (DoIT-3, n = 21). DoIT was a time-efficient, intermittent-based, multicomponent exercise protocol using progressive loaded fundamental movement patterns with prescribed work-to-rest intervals (1:3–2:1) in a circuit format (2–3 rounds). Muscular strength, muscular endurance, flexibility, passive range of motion (PRoM), static balance and functional movement screen (FMS®) were assessed at baseline, 6 and 12 months following intervention. At post-training, all exercise groups exhibited superior changes than CON in (i) muscular strength (+13%–38%, p < 0.001); (ii) muscular endurance (+42%–159%, p < 0.001); (iii) flexibility (+12%–42%, p < 0.001); (iv) PRoM (+6%–50%, p = 0.001–0.026); (v) static balance (+61%–163%, p < 0.001); and (vi) FMS (+18%–39%, p < 0.001). Although a single exercise session/week improved musculoskeletal fitness, changes demonstrated a step-wise improvement with two and three sessions/week suggesting a dose-dependent response. The response rate to training was 100% for all exercise groups. These findings suggest that a multicomponent exercise approach incorporating bodyweight drills and resistance-based alternative modes performed under real-world conditions may improve several musculoskeletal fitness indicators in a dose-dependent manner in inactive, middle-aged adults with overweight/obesity.

Trial registration: ClinicalTrials.gov identifier: NCT03759951.

KEYWORDS:

• High-intensity interval training
• neuromuscular training
• muscular strength and endurance
• mobility
• functional movement patterns

Acknowledgments

We are grateful to all participants for their commitment to the study.

Disclosure statement

No potential conflict of interest was reported by the author(s).

Additional information

Funding

The study was supported by the Institutional Structure of Research, Innovation and Excellence of the University of Thessaly under a PhD Fellowship grant [grant number 56000303].