The Effect of Systematic Endurance Training in Treatment of Women With Lipedema

Lipedema is a chronic adipose tissue disorder that primarily affects women. The etiology remains unclear and involves abnormal buildup of fat mainly in the lower limbs. It causes physical and psychological morbidity, often with significant impact of daily life. Effective treatment options are still limited, primary involving conservative measures such as compression therapy. Regular endurance training is known to have positive effects on pain management in other disorders, as well as beneficial effects on obesity management. Thus, LipidEx aims to explore the potential of high-intensity interval training (HIIT) as a novel therapeutic option for women with lipedema. We will now perform a cross-over randomized controlled trial (RCT) exploring the effects of 12 weeks of HIIT compared to a control period of usual care. Primary outcomes include changes in pain, and secondary outcomes include changes in adipose tissue mass and quality of life. Exploratory outcomes include changes in inflammatory markers, metabolites, and lipoprotein subfractions in blood and adipose tissue.