Mapping Scientific Research on High-Intensity Interval Training (HIIT) in Overweight Populations (2011–2024)

<b>Background</b>: Several studies have investigated the importance of physical exercise (PE) in overweight and obese populations; however, to date, no bibliometric study has analyzed research trends in high-intensity interval training (HIIT) in overweight and obese populations across the entire life course. <b>Objective</b>: To analyze the scientific output of HIIT trends in overweight and obese populations. <b>Method</b>: Theoretical study using bibliometrics as a research technique. A total of 282 studies were identified in the Web of Science and PubMed databases for analysis with VOSViewer software 1.6.20. The equation used was ("High-intensity interval training" OR HIIT) AND (overweight OR obesity OR "risk factors" OR "obesity risk"). <b>Results</b>: The year 2022 was the most productive year (<i>n</i> = 46). Most of the documents are research articles (81%), followed by review articles (15%). Most studies do not specify the characteristics of the sample, only mentioning the application of a HIIT program in overweight or obese individuals in (65.6%) of the total articles found. There is low scientific output in research focused on women (23.4%). The most frequently occurring words were "exercise" (<i>n</i> = 145), "obesity" (<i>n</i> = 131), "high-intensity interval training" (<i>n</i> = 81), "overweight" (<i>n</i> = 78), "physical activity" (<i>n</i> = 73), "body composition" (<i>n</i> = 46), "weight loss" (<i>n</i> = 45), "health" (<i>n</i> = 42), and "cardiorespiratory fitness" (<i>n</i> = 40). <b>Conclusions</b>: Scientific research has advanced the understanding of the impact of HIIT in relation to excess weight, with total fat reduction being one of the most frequently reported variables and no differences observed between sexes. HIIT has shown benefits in populations with overweight and obesity when compared with low-intensity training programs.

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Journal
Sports
Published
2026-01-14
DOI
https://doi.org/10.3390/sports14010038
Primary Topic
Cardiovascular and exercise physiology
Type
article
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article

Mapping Scientific Research on High-Intensity Interval Training (HIIT) in Overweight Populations (2011–2024)

Mauricio Vladimir Peña-Giraldo, Juan David Paucar Uribe, Jorge Olivares-Arancibia, Andrés Julián Rendón-Sanchéz et al.
Sports
Cardiovascular and exercise physiology
article

Mapping Scientific Research on High-Intensity Interval Training (HIIT) in Overweight Populations (2011–2024)

Mauricio Vladimir Peña-Giraldo, Juan David Paucar Uribe, Jorge Olivares-Arancibia, Andrés Julián Rendón-Sanchéz, Laura del Pilar Prieto Mondragon, Kevin Ricardo Forero González, José Francisco López-Gil, Anyi Tatiana Sanabria Moreno, Rodrigo Yáñez-Sepúlveda
article en

Abstract

<b>Background</b>: Several studies have investigated the importance of physical exercise (PE) in overweight and obese populations; however, to date, no bibliometric study has analyzed research trends in high-intensity interval training (HIIT) in overweight and obese populations across the entire life course. <b>Objective</b>: To analyze the scientific output of HIIT trends in overweight and obese populations. <b>Method</b>: Theoretical study using bibliometrics as a research technique. A total of 282 studies were identified in the Web of Science and PubMed databases for analysis with VOSViewer software 1.6.20. The equation used was ("High-intensity interval training" OR HIIT) AND (overweight OR obesity OR "risk factors" OR "obesity risk"). <b>Results</b>: The year 2022 was the most productive year (<i>n</i> = 46). Most of the documents are research articles (81%), followed by review articles (15%). Most studies do not specify the characteristics of the sample, only mentioning the application of a HIIT program in overweight or obese individuals in (65.6%) of the total articles found. There is low scientific output in research focused on women (23.4%). The most frequently occurring words were "exercise" (<i>n</i> = 145), "obesity" (<i>n</i> = 131), "high-intensity interval training" (<i>n</i> = 81), "overweight" (<i>n</i> = 78), "physical activity" (<i>n</i> = 73), "body composition" (<i>n</i> = 46), "weight loss" (<i>n</i> = 45), "health" (<i>n</i> = 42), and "cardiorespiratory fitness" (<i>n</i> = 40). <b>Conclusions</b>: Scientific research has advanced the understanding of the impact of HIIT in relation to excess weight, with total fat reduction being one of the most frequently reported variables and no differences observed between sexes. HIIT has shown benefits in populations with overweight and obesity when compared with low-intensity training programs.

SportsVol. 14(1)
Universidad Autónoma de Chile (CL), Universidad Espíritu Santo (EC), University of Applied and Environmental Sciences (CO), Viña del Mar University (CL), Universidad Pedagógica Nacional (CO), University of the Americas (CL)
Openalex Percentile: Top 88%
Cardiovascular and exercise physiology
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