Current Students and Staff

// University News

15 Jul 2014

Study to determine how HIT can help drive down obesity

A new Loughborough University study is investigating how High-intensity Interval Training (HIT) can best be used to help people who are overweight.

Academics in the School of Sport, Exercise and Health Sciences (SSEHS) have developed a short training programme combining aerobic exercise with resistance training which they believe could aid weight loss and improve the health of some of the country’s most inactive groups.

In the latest phase of the project, they are undertaking a series of tests to assess the body’s biological responses to this exercise. Specifically, they are looking at how satellite cells, which initiate muscle growth, in the muscle respond to high-intensity interval exercise.

PhD student Jamie Pugh said:

“We’re looking at the body’s responses to exercise at the cellular level. We want to find out how people can achieve the maximum benefit from a time-efficient exercise programme.

If our programme works it could be adapted as a strategy to help address the country’s growing obesity problem.”

The study is part-funded by Technogym - The Wellness Company, and is the first stage of an international study with the Metabolic Fitness Association and the University of Rome “Foro Italico”.

Researchers are looking to recruit non-smoking males and females aged 18-60 with a BMI of 27 and over to the study. Participants will be required to visit the laboratory on seven separate occasions – four of which will involve exercise testing. As part of the study, volunteers will receive a comprehensive health and fitness evaluation and supervised exercise training.

Anyone interested in taking part should contact Jamie Pugh on 07891 877 236 or j.pugh@lboro.ac.uk