Effects of Whole-Body HIIT and Moderate Continuous Exercise on Immune Function

NCT07618455 | Completed

• 1 other identifier: 2020-189
• Study Type: interventional
• Target: 20
• Locations: 1 country
• Sites: 1

Brief Summary

This randomized controlled trial aimed to investigate the effects of a 12-week Whole-Body High-Intensity Interval Training (WB-HIIT) program compared with Moderate-Intensity Continuous Training (MICT) on immune function in recreationally active young adults. Participants were randomly assigned to either WB-HIIT or MICT groups. Immune-related biomarkers and performance outcomes were assessed before and after the intervention. The study sought to determine whether different exercise modalities produce distinct adaptations in immune function.

Conditions

Exercise Immunology; Exercise Physiology

Keywords

High-intensity interval training; moderate-intensity continuous exercise; immune system; ACTH; cortisol; exercise immunology; IL-6

Outcome Measures

Primary Outcomes (1)

• Peripheral immune cell counts

  Changes in peripheral blood leukocyte, lymphocyte subsets, neutrophil, and monocyte counts from baseline to post-intervention (8 weeks).

  Baseline and 8 weeks (post-intervention)

Secondary Outcomes (4)

• Inflammatory cytokine levels

  Baseline and 8 weeks (post-intervention)

• Immunoglobulin levels

  Baseline and 8 weeks (post-intervention)

• Cortisol levels

  Baseline and 8 weeks (post-intervention)

• Maximal oxygen uptake (VO₂max)

  Baseline and 8 weeks (post-intervention)

Study Arms (2)

Whole-Body HIIT

EXPERIMENTAL

Participants will perform Whole-Body High-Intensity Interval Training (WB-HIIT) protocol.

Behavioral: Whole-Body High-Intensity Interval Training (WB-HIIT)

MICT

ACTIVE COMPARATOR

Participants will perform Moderate-Intensity Continuous Training (MICT) protocol.

Behavioral: Moderate-Intensity Continuous Training (MICT)

Interventions

Whole-Body High-Intensity Interval Training (WB-HIIT) BEHAVIORAL

Whole-body high-intensity interval training protocol performed under supervision.

Whole-Body HIIT

Moderate-Intensity Continuous Training (MICT) BEHAVIORAL

Moderate-intensity continuous training protocol performed under supervision.

MICT

Eligibility Criteria

• Age: 18 Years+
• Sex: male
• Healthy Volunteers: Yes
• Age Groups: Adult (18-64), Older Adult (65+)

You may qualify if:

• Healthy male adults Aged 18-25 years Not engaged in regular structured exercise training (\>3 sessions/week) VO₂max within normal healthy range Willingness to participate and provide informed consent No acute or chronic inflammatory, metabolic, or cardiovascular disease

You may not qualify if:

• Female participants (not included in study design) Smoking or alcohol abuse Use of anti-inflammatory or immunomodulatory drugs Participation in regular high-intensity training programs Musculoskeletal limitations preventing exercise testing or training Acute infection within last 2 weeks Chronic metabolic, cardiovascular, or autoimmune diseases

Sponsors & Collaborators

• Bitlis Eren University: lead

Study Sites (1)

Bitlis Eren University

Bitlis, Merkez, 13100, Turkey (Türkiye)

Location

Study Officials

• Melih Çalışır, PhD

  Bitlis Eren Üniversitesi University

  PRINCIPAL INVESTIGATOR

Study Design

• Study Type: interventional
• Phase: not applicable
• Allocation: RANDOMIZED
• Masking: NONE
• Masking Details: No masking was applied due to the nature of exercise interventions.
• Purpose: TREATMENT
• Intervention Model: PARALLEL
• Sponsor Type: OTHER
• Responsible Party: PRINCIPAL INVESTIGATOR
• PI Title: Doctoral Researcher

Model Details: Participants will be randomly assigned to either Whole-Body High-Intensity Interval Training (WB-HIIT) or Moderate-Intensity Continuous Training (MICT) groups.

Study Record Dates

• First Submitted: May 16, 2026
• First Posted: June 1, 2026
• Study Start: June 30, 2020
• Primary Completion: August 30, 2020
• Study Completion: August 30, 2020
• Last Updated: June 1, 2026

Record last verified: 2026-05

Data Sharing

• IPD Sharing: Will not share

Locations

TU (1)