8-Weeks of High-Intensity Interval Training or Concurrent Training in Overweight and Obese Adult Males

Overweight and obesity is becoming increasingly prevalent, constituting 64% of all adults in England, causing an incessant rise in cost to the National Health Service. Exercise and physical activity have the potential to reduce incidence of overweight and obesity, as well as improve obesity-related ill health. However, overweight and obese individuals are inherently sedentary and do not meet exercise guidelines. Same-session concurrent exercise training may be the most efficient exercise strategy to incorporate both cardiovascular- and strength-based exercise, both of which are vital for health-related benefits. This research project will aim to determine the feasibility of completing an 8-week concurrent exercise training programme in overweight and obese sedentary males. This study will aim to recruit adult males with a BMI above 25 kg.m2, who are otherwise healthy, but not regularly achieving exercise guidelines (less than 150 minutes of physical activity and 2 strength training sessions per week). Participants will undergo baseline and post-training testing of cardiorespiratory fitness, strength, heart and metabolic health, as well as a series of questionnaires and a semi-structured interview. They will then be randomised into one of two groups (high-intensity interval training or concurrent training) to complete twice-weekly exercise sessions for 8 weeks. The aims of this study are to evaluate the feasibility of performing 8-weeks of either concurrent, resistance or high-intensity interval training in overweight and obese males. This will be determined through assessment of cardiorespiratory fitness, strength, heart health, metabolic health, enjoyment, adherence and attendance.