Effect of high-intensity interval training and intermittent fasting on body composition and physical performance in active women

Research output: Contribution to journalJournal articleResearchpeer-review

  • Alejandro Martinez-Rodriguez
  • Jacobo A Rubio-Arias
  • José M García-De Frutos
  • Manuel Vicente-Martínez
  • Thomas P Gunnarsson
Nutritional strategies may have an effect on body composition and physical performance. Intermittent fasting (IF) is an eating pattern that cycles between periods of eating and fasting in specified time periods. Moreover, it is a common strategy among members of the athlete population that are looking for weight loss. However, this strategy may negatively affect physical performance, as compared to other weight loss strategies. The main purpose of this research was to use a crossover design to study the effects of HIIT, with or without intermittent fasting, on muscular and anaerobic performance in 14 active women (27 ± 6 y). To assess performance, body composition (anthropometry), hand-grip strength, and counter-movement jump (CMJ) height was measured, and a 30 s Wingate test was completed assessed. HIIT + IF reduced fat mass (1 kg, p < 0.05, d = 1.1; 1.5%, p < 0.01, d = 1.0) and increased CMJ height (6.2 cm, p < 0.001, d = 1.8). In addition, the change in CMJ height in HIIT + IF was higher over HIIT (5.2 cm, p < 0.001, d = 1.9). In conclusion, intermittent fasting could be a nutritional strategy to decrease fat mass and increase jumping performance. However, longer duration programs would be necessary to determine whether other parameters of muscle performance could be positively affected by IF.
Original languageEnglish
Article number6431
JournalInternational Journal of Environmental Research and Public Health
Volume18
Issue number12
Number of pages13
ISSN1661-7827
DOIs
Publication statusPublished - 2021

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