High-intensity interval training is similar to continuous aerobic training for reducing body fat mass: a systematic review and meta-analysis of randomized clinical trials

Introduction: Guidelines on obesity management reinforce regular exercise to reduce body fat. Exercise modalities, including high-intensity interval training (HIIT), appear to produce a similar effect as continuous aerobic training (CAT) on body fat distribution. However, they have not addressed the chronic effect of HIIT versus CAT on body fat assessed by Dual energy X-ray absorptiometry (DEXA). Objective: To compare the effectiveness between CAT and HIIT protocols on body fat (% BF and android) fat reduction assessed by DEXA, in adults with overweight and obesity. Methods: We conducted a systematic review and meta-analysis of randomized clinical trials (RCTs) including both female and male adults with excess body weight. We performed searches in the databases MEDLINE (PubMed), EMBASE, Scopus, LILACS, Web of Science and Cochrane.