[Effects of 12 sessions of high intensity intermittent training and nutrition counseling on body fat in obese and overweight participants].

BACKGROUND: The search of efficient exercise alternatives to treat obesity is worthwhile.

AIM: To demonstrate the effect of high intensity intermittent exercise on body fat reduction in overweight and obese subjects.

MATERIAL AND METHODS: A group of 65 overweight and obese adult subjects (25 men), aged 18-65 years, participated during 12 sessions in a high intensity physical exercise program, 3 days/week. Weight, height and body fat was measured before and after the intervention by bioimpedance. Each session consisted of 1 min stationary cycling exercise at high intensity, followed by 2 min inactive rest. This cycle was repeated 10 times, thus the method is called 1*2*10.

RESULTS: There was a significant reduction of body fat of -1.88 ± 2.8 and -3.44 ± 2.7 kg, in women and men, respectively (p < 0.05).

CONCLUSIONS: The 1*2*10 training protocol lasting 12 weeks in association with nutrition counseling is effective in reducing body fat in overweight persons.