Scientific Reports · Nov 10, 2026
Comparing the effects of HIIT and MICT on body composition, cardiometabolic health, and gut microbiota in prediabetes: a randomized controlled trial
By Chen X, Liang Y, Wu L et al.
The study aimed to compare the effects of a 12-week, high-intensity interval training (HIIT) versus moderate-intensity continuous training (MICT) on body composition, glucose and lipid metabolism, and cardiopulmonary function in adults with prediabetes, and to explore gut microbiota composition as an exploratory outcome and its associations with these exercise-induced changes. Sixty-four participants with prediabetes were randomly allocated to a 12-week (three times weekly) program in either a HIIT group (10 × 1-min intervals at 75–90% HRpeak interspersed with 10 × 1-min at 45–60% HRpeak recovery) or an MICT group (30-min at 55–70% HRpeak). This trial assessed changes in body composition, glycolipid metabolism, cardiopulmonary function, and gut microbiota composition. Gut microbiota composition was assessed using 16 S rRNA gene sequencing, and dietary education was provided throughout the study period. The study was registered at the Chinese Clinical Trial Registry (ChiCTR2300072936) on June 28, 2023. Following the intervention, compared with the MICT group, the HIIT group exhibited significant reductions in fat mass (P = 0.046), body fat percentage (P = 0.045), estimated visceral adipose content (P = 0.044) and estimated subcutaneous fat content (P = 0.047). Both the HIIT and MICT groups exhibited significant increases in HDL and VO2peak, and significant decreases in Lipoprotein-associated phospholipase A2 (Lp-PLA2) (P < 0.05) after 12-week intervention, but with no significant difference between the two groups. The α-diversity in the HIIT group increased significantly compared with the MICT group, after 12 weeks of exercise (P < 0.05). In adults with prediabetes, HIIT produced a greater reduction in body fat percentage, estimated visceral adipose content, and estimated subcutaneous fat content than MICT. Exercise training altered the composition of the gut microbiota. HIIT was associated with a higher increase in gut microbial α-diversity than MICT. Post-training changes in gut microbiota composition may correlate with alterations in blood lipid profiles.