Changes in Lipid Profile and C-Reactive Protein in Response to High Interval Intensity Training in Physically Active and Inactive Women

High-intensity interval (HIIT) is a contributing factor to cardiovascular disease.

This study aimed to examine the effect of HIIT on lipid profile and C-reactive protein (CRP) in physically active (PhA) and physically inactive (PhI) women.

Forty volunteer female students (20 PhA and 20 PhI) were selected and divided into 10-person groups of PhA (control and HIIT) and PhI (control and HIIT). During six weeks, the HIIT groups performed HIITs three sessions per week. Lipid profile and CRP levels of plasma were measured in the pretest and posttest.

We showed LDL, VLDL, and cholesterol were lower and HDL levels were higher in the PhA HIIT and PhI HIIT groups than in the PhA control group (P ≤ 0.05). Changes in CRP and TG levels were not significant in the PhA HIIT, PhI HIIT, and PhA control groups (P ≥ 0.05). Moreover, LDL, VLDL, and TG levels were lower and the HDL levels were higher in the PhI HIIT group than in the PhI control group (P ≤ 0.05). However, changes in CRP levels were not significant in the PhI HIIT group and PhI control group (P ≥ 0.05).

It seems that HIIT can improve the lipid profile of PhA and PhI women, but further studies are necessary in this regard.