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Not yet recruiting NCT07745270

High-Intensity Functional Training (HIFT) vs Moderate-Intensity Continuous Training (MICT) in College Students

No phase Interventional Exercise

For patients and families

In plain language

An automatic summary of structured registry data. It is an orientation aid, not a substitute for the official protocol or a physician assessment.

What is being studied
The protocol lists: High-Intensity Functional Training (HIFT), Moderate-Intensity Continuous Training (MICT).
Who it may be relevant to
Registry conditions: Exercise. Basic parameters: 18 years — 35 years · All.
What needs checking
Age, condition and sex are only basic indicators. Prior treatment, laboratory values and other mandatory requirements appear in the eligibility criteria below.
Where it takes place
United States
Next step
Save the trial, show it to the treating physician, and confirm current recruitment with the study center. Costs, documents and travel →

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Official title

The Effects of Interval Compared to Continuous Training on Physical Variables and Vascular Health in College Students: A Three-Arm Randomized Controlled Trial

Overview

The purpose of this study is to compare two types of exercise programs in college students: high-intensity functional training and moderate-intensity continuous training. The study evaluates whether these exercise programs improve body composition, physical fitness, and blood vessel health compared with a group that does not participate in exercise training. In addition, the study examines whether changes in body composition and physical fitness are associated with changes in blood vessel health.

Interventions

  • Behavioral High-Intensity Functional Training (HIFT)
    Participants will perform supervised high-intensity functional training using multi-joint functional movements that may include body-weight exercises, resistance-based movements, step-ups, squats, lunges, push-ups or modified push-ups, core exercises, etc. The intervention will be conducted over 8 weeks, with participants completing three sessions per week. Each session will last approximately 40 to 60 minutes.
  • Behavioral Moderate-Intensity Continuous Training (MICT)
    Participants will perform supervised moderate-intensity continuous aerobic exercise such as treadmill walking/jogging, cycling, elliptical exercise, or step-based aerobic activity. The intervention will be conducted over 8 weeks, with participants completing three sessions per week. Each session will last approximately 40 to 60 minutes.

Primary outcome measures

  • Change in Carotid-Femoral Pulse Wave Velocity (cfPWV) [Time frame: Baseline and Week 10 (post-intervention)]
  • Change in Central Augmentation Index (cAIx) [Time frame: Baseline and Week 10 (post-intervention)]
  • Change in Mean Arterial Pressure (MAP) [Time frame: Baseline and Week 10 (post-intervention)]
  • Percent Change in Flow-Mediated Dilation (FMD) [Time frame: Baseline and Week 10 (post-intervention)]
  • Change in Carotid Intima-Media Thickness (cIMT) [Time frame: Baseline and Week 10 (post-intervention)]
Secondary outcome measures (10)
  • Change in Body mass index (BMI) [Time frame: Baseline and Week 10 (post-intervention)]
  • Change in Waist Circumference (WC) [Time frame: Baseline and 10 weeks (post-intervention)]
  • Change in Body fat percentage (BF%) [Time frame: Baseline and 10 weeks (post-intervention)]
  • Change in Skeletal Muscle Mass (SMM) [Time frame: Baseline and 10 weeks (post-intervention)]
  • Change in visceral adipose tissue (VAT) [Time frame: Baseline and 10 weeks (post-intervention)]
  • Change in Muscular Strength [Time frame: Baseline and Week 10 (post-intervention)]
  • Change in Cardiorespiratory Fitness [Time frame: Baseline and Week 10 (post-intervention)]
  • Change in Muscular Endurance [Time frame: Baseline and Week 10 (post-intervention)]
  • Change in Flexibility (Sit-and-Reach test) [Time frame: Baseline and Week 10 (post-intervention)]
  • Change in Flexibility (Trunk Lift test) [Time frame: Baseline and Week 10 (post-intervention)]

Eligibility criteria

Inclusion criteria

  • Age 18 to 35 years.
  • Currently enrolled college or university student.
  • Able to provide written informed consent.
  • Able to attend baseline and post-intervention testing visits and participate in assigned intervention sessions.
  • Cleared for exercise participation based on the health screening form and investigator review.

Exclusion criteria

  • Known cardiovascular, metabolic, pulmonary, renal, neurological, musculoskeletal, or endocrine disorder that would make exercise unsafe or confound outcome measures.
  • Current pregnancy or planning pregnancy during the study period.
  • Current smoking, vaping nicotine products, or use of tobacco products.
  • Uncontrolled hypertension or resting blood pressure values that make exercise testing unsafe based on investigator judgment.
  • Use of medications known to substantially affect cardiovascular function, vascular tone, or exercise responses, unless approved by the PI.
  • Any injury, orthopedic limitation, or medical condition preventing safe participation in HIFT, MICT, or physical fitness testing.
  • Currently participating in structured high-intensity interval, functional, or endurance training more than two days per week during the previous three months.
  • Do not speak English.

Criteria are shown verbatim from the registry (in English). Final eligibility is always assessed by the study center.

Healthy volunteers: Yes

Study design

Allocation
Randomized
Model
Parallel assignment
Masking
Open label
Primary purpose
Treatment

Study locations

United States · 1 center
  • Merrick Building, University of Miami — Coral Gables

Identifiers

NCT: NCT07745270 · 20260670

Primary sources (government registries)

View this study on ClinicalTrials.gov ↗