Web-based Hiit And Caloric Restriction For Managing Metabolic Syndrome For Workers

PURPOSE: Metabolic syndrome (MetS) is highly prevalent among middle-aged workers, who often struggle to maintain beneficial lifestyle changes such as caloric restriction (CR) and improvements in cardiorespiratory fitness (CRF). This study aimed to evaluate the effectiveness of a web-based high-intensity interval training (HIIT) and CR intervention in managing MetS, enhancing CRF, and increasing physical activity (PA) levels among workers. METHODS: Thirty-seven employees participated in an 11-week intervention, with assessments at baseline, post-intervention, and at a 1-year follow-up. The intervention included online CR lectures, HIIT sessions, and motivational support. Weekly CR sessions, led by a dietitian, were conducted for 60 minutes during the first three weeks. HIIT sessions consisted of one 30-minute live session per week, in addition to encouraging participants to complete two home-based sessions guided by instructional videos. Bi-weekly motivational consultations offered personalized guidance. Primary outcomes included body composition (weight, BMI, waist circumference), MetS biomarkers (blood pressure, triglycerides, HDL cholesterol, fasting plasma glucose), and VO2peak. Secondary outcomes included PA stratified by intensity. Data analyses involved paired t-tests and repeated measures ANOVA, with effect sizes calculated to assess changes. RESULTS: Adherence rates were 67.4% for CR lectures and 52.4% for HIIT sessions. Significant improvements in weight, blood pressure, and triglyceride levels were observed post-intervention, with these benefits sustained at the 1-year follow-up (P < 0.01). CRF did not show significant improvement post-intervention (31.0 ± 6.8 mL/kg/min), and a significant decline was observed at the 1-year follow-up (27.5 ± 7.0 mL/kg/min). PA levels stratified by intensity and step counts significantly increased after the intervention (P < 0.01), but these improvements reverted to baseline levels at the 1-year follow-up. CONCLUSIONS: This web-based HIIT and CR intervention effectively improved MetS, but challenges remained in improving and maintaining CRF and PA over the long term. Continuous support may be necessary to ensure adherence and proper intensity management, when participants perform HIIT independently at home.