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Journal of Education, Health and Sport

A Systematic Review of the Influence of High-Intensity Interval Training on Body Composition and Synthesizing Evidence from Scientific Literature
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  • A Systematic Review of the Influence of High-Intensity Interval Training on Body Composition and Synthesizing Evidence from Scientific Literature
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  3. Vol. 27 No. 1 (2023) /
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A Systematic Review of the Influence of High-Intensity Interval Training on Body Composition and Synthesizing Evidence from Scientific Literature

Authors

  • Aleksandra Borycka Państwowy Instytut Medyczny MSWiA w Warszawie, ul. Wołoska 137, 02-507 Warsaw, Poland https://orcid.org/0009-0002-5589-1827
  • Barbara Jędrzejewska Powiatowe Centrum Zdrowia w Otwocku, ul. Stefana Batorego 44, 05-400 Otwock, Poland https://orcid.org/0009-0002-2153-4311
  • Maria Kotulska Państwowy Instytut Medyczny MSWiA w Warszawie, ul. Wołoska 137, 02-507 Warsaw, Poland https://orcid.org/0009-0003-9111-6745
  • Paulina Laskus Międzyleski Szpital Specjalistyczny w Warszawie, ul. Bursztynowa 2, 04-749 Warsaw, Poland https://orcid.org/0009-0006-6882-8797
  • Martyna Lichman Szpital Chirurgii Urazowej św. Anny, ul. Barska 16/20, 02-315 Warsaw, Poland https://orcid.org/0009-0007-5473-4973
  • Zuzanna Lubczyńska Szpital Grochowski im. dr med. Rafała Masztaka, ul. Grenadierów 51/59, 04-073 Warsaw, Poland https://orcid.org/0000-0002-4860-2508
  • Zofia Potocka Państwowy Instytut Medyczny MSWiA w Warszawie, ul. Wołoska 137, 02-507 Warsaw, Poland https://orcid.org/0009-0008-7738-2795
  • Jakub Przeradzki Międzyleski Szpital Specjalistyczny w Warszawie, ul. Bursztynowa 2, 04-749 Warsaw, Poland https://orcid.org/0009-0001-2941-6670
  • Katarzyna Rząd Międzyleski Szpital Specjalistyczny w Warszawie, ul. Bursztynowa 2, 04-749 Warsaw, Poland https://orcid.org/0009-0000-3611-7479
  • Magda Szyca Powiatowe Centrum Zdrowia w Otwocku, ul. Stefana Batorego 44, 05-400 Otwock, Poland https://orcid.org/0009-0000-2673-1256

DOI:

https://doi.org/10.12775/JEHS.2023.27.01.008

Keywords

High-intensity interval training, body composition, fat mass, fat loss

Abstract

INTRODUCTION AND OBJECTIVE

High-intensity interval training (HIIT) involves performing a series of intense exercises interspersed with periods of passive or active rest. HIIT provides changes in body composition and physical fitness. The aim of this study is to determine the impact of HIIT on changes in body composition and compare the results of HIIT with moderate-intensity continuous training (MICT) and resistance training (RT).

REVIEW METHODS

The PubMed and Google Scholar databases were searched for studies examining the impact of HIIT on changes in body composition. Articles published up to 31.03.2023 were included, with a particular focus on the most recent publications.

STATE OF KNOWLEDGE

The classification of HIIT considers the intensity, duration and number of bouts during training session, as well as the length of the intervention period. Body composition describes qualitive and quantitative elements in the human body. Improving body composition benefits health and enables better training results. HIIT promotes weight loss, reduces BMI and decreases the content of adipose tissue, including visceral fat. HIIT is equally or more effective than MICT in burning fat tissue. Resistance exercises added to HIIT protocols have a favorable effect on changes in body composition.

SUMMARY

The assessment of HIIT effects on changes in body composition is complicated due to various interpretations of its definition. Further analyses are needed to systematize knowledge of the benefits of different HIIT protocols. Research optimizing them for reducing adipose tissue based on age, gender, body mass and presence of metabolic disorders are necessary.

Author Biographies

Aleksandra Borycka, Państwowy Instytut Medyczny MSWiA w Warszawie, ul. Wołoska 137, 02-507 Warsaw, Poland

Intern medical doctor

Barbara Jędrzejewska, Powiatowe Centrum Zdrowia w Otwocku, ul. Stefana Batorego 44, 05-400 Otwock, Poland

Intern medical doctor

Maria Kotulska, Państwowy Instytut Medyczny MSWiA w Warszawie, ul. Wołoska 137, 02-507 Warsaw, Poland

Intern medical doctor

Paulina Laskus, Międzyleski Szpital Specjalistyczny w Warszawie, ul. Bursztynowa 2, 04-749 Warsaw, Poland

Intern medical doctor

Martyna Lichman, Szpital Chirurgii Urazowej św. Anny, ul. Barska 16/20, 02-315 Warsaw, Poland

Intern medical doctor

Zuzanna Lubczyńska, Szpital Grochowski im. dr med. Rafała Masztaka, ul. Grenadierów 51/59, 04-073 Warsaw, Poland

Intern medical doctor

Zofia Potocka, Państwowy Instytut Medyczny MSWiA w Warszawie, ul. Wołoska 137, 02-507 Warsaw, Poland

Intern medical doctor

Jakub Przeradzki, Międzyleski Szpital Specjalistyczny w Warszawie, ul. Bursztynowa 2, 04-749 Warsaw, Poland

Intern medical doctor

Katarzyna Rząd, Międzyleski Szpital Specjalistyczny w Warszawie, ul. Bursztynowa 2, 04-749 Warsaw, Poland

Intern medical doctor

Magda Szyca, Powiatowe Centrum Zdrowia w Otwocku, ul. Stefana Batorego 44, 05-400 Otwock, Poland

Intern medical doctor

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Published

2023-05-09

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1.
BORYCKA, Aleksandra, JĘDRZEJEWSKA, Barbara, KOTULSKA, Maria, LASKUS, Paulina, LICHMAN, Martyna, LUBCZYŃSKA, Zuzanna, POTOCKA, Zofia, PRZERADZKI, Jakub, RZĄD, Katarzyna and SZYCA, Magda. A Systematic Review of the Influence of High-Intensity Interval Training on Body Composition and Synthesizing Evidence from Scientific Literature. Journal of Education, Health and Sport. Online. 9 May 2023. Vol. 27, no. 1, pp. 76-86. [Accessed 5 July 2025]. DOI 10.12775/JEHS.2023.27.01.008.
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Vol. 27 No. 1 (2023)

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Copyright (c) 2023 Aleksandra Borycka, Barbara Jędrzejewska, Maria Kotulska, Paulina Laskus, Martyna Lichman, Zuzanna Lubczyńska, Zofia Potocka, Jakub Przeradzki, Katarzyna Rząd, Magda Szyca

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