The effect of 12 weeks of High Intensity Functional Training (HIFT) on serum mitokines and metabolic risk factors in patients with metabolic syndrome: a randomized control trial.
5 affiliations
- 1Exercise Physiology Department, Faculty of Sport Science, Allameh Tabataba'i University, Tehran, Iran. [email protected].
- 2Sport Sciences and Health Research Center, Allameh Tabataba'i University, Tehran, Iran. [email protected].
- 3Faculty of Sport Sciences, Allameh Tabataba'i University, Western Azadi Sport Complex Boulevard, Hakim Highway, Tehran, Iran. [email protected].
- 4Exercise Physiology Department, Faculty of Sport Science, Allameh Tabataba'i University, Tehran, Iran.
- 5Cardiovascular Surgeon Isfahan University of Medical Sciences (MUI), School of Medicine, Shahid Chamran Hospital, Isfahan, Iran.
Abstract
Background
Metabolic syndrome is a condition associated with mitochondrial dysfunction. Mitokines such as FGF-21 and GDF-15, recognized as biomarkers associated with metabolic stress, play crucial roles in regulating energy and inflammation. This study aimed to investigate the effects of High-Intensity Functional Training (HIFT) on the serum levels of FGF-21 and GDF-15, metabolic risk factors and body composition in middle-aged men with metabolic syndrome.Methods
In a randomized controlled trial, 24 men (age = 42.40 ± 6.90 years) with metabolic syndrome were randomly assigned to either the HIFT group (n = 12) or the control group (n = 12). The HIFT group performed exercise sessions twice a week for 12 weeks, with each session lasting 50 min. Anthropometric and biochemical assessments were conducted before and after the intervention.Results
After the intervention, both primary outcomes-serum FGF-21 and GDF-15 levels-significantly decreased in the HIFT group (P = 0.001). Furthermore, body fat percentage, fasting blood glucose, HbA1c, blood lipids, and LDL-C decreased, whereas skeletal muscle mass and HDL increased (P < 0.001).Conclusion
Exercise training as HIFT was associated with improvements in select metabolic biomarkers by modulating the serum levels of mitokines, metabolic risk factors and body composition. These findings are associative and do not confirm direct mechanistic effects. Therefore, this type of training may be considered as a potential adjunctive non-pharmacological approach for the management of metabolic syndrome in middle-aged men, but further research with larger samples and active control groups is required.Trial registration
Iranian Registry of Clinical Trials identifier: IRCT20241130063899N1, prospectively registered 01-11- 2025, https://irct.behdasht.gov.ir/trial/80642 .
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BibTeX
@article{eslami2026effect,
title = {{The effect of 12 weeks of High Intensity Functional Training (HIFT) on serum mitokines and metabolic risk factors in patients with metabolic syndrome: a randomized control trial.}},
author = {Rasoul Eslami and Mohammad Moayedi and Bakhtyar Tartibian and Ali Aeen},
journal = {BMC sports science, medicine \& rehabilitation},
year = {2026},
month = jul,
doi = {10.1186/s13102-026-01905-4},
url = {https://europepmc.org/article/MED/42907909},
note = {CC BY-NC-ND},
}
RIS
TY - JOUR
TI - The effect of 12 weeks of High Intensity Functional Training (HIFT) on serum mitokines and metabolic risk factors in patients with metabolic syndrome: a randomized control trial.
AU - Rasoul Eslami
AU - Mohammad Moayedi
AU - Bakhtyar Tartibian
AU - Ali Aeen
PY - 2026
DA - 2026/07/01
JO - BMC sports science, medicine & rehabilitation
DO - 10.1186/s13102-026-01905-4
UR - https://europepmc.org/article/MED/42907909
AB - Background Metabolic syndrome is a condition associated with mitochondrial dysfunction. Mitokines such as FGF-21 and GDF-15, recognized as biomarkers associated with metabolic stress, play crucial roles in regulating energy and inflammation. This study aimed to investigate the effects of High-Intensity Functional Training (HIFT) on the serum levels of FGF-21 and GDF-15, metabolic risk factors and body composition in middle-aged men with metabolic syndrome.Methods In a randomized controlled trial, 24 men (age = 42.40 ± 6.90 years) with metabolic syndrome were randomly assigned to either the HIFT group (n = 12) or the control group (n = 12). The HIFT group performed exercise sessions twice a week for 12 weeks, with each session lasting 50 min. Anthropometric and biochemical assessments were conducted before and after the intervention.Results After the intervention, both primary outcomes-serum FGF-21 and GDF-15 levels-significantly decreased in the HIFT group (P = 0.001). Furthermore, body fat percentage, fasting blood glucose, HbA1c, blood lipids, and LDL-C decreased, whereas skeletal muscle mass and HDL increased (P < 0.001).Conclusion Exercise training as HIFT was associated with improvements in select metabolic biomarkers by modulating the serum levels of mitokines, metabolic risk factors and body composition. These findings are associative and do not confirm direct mechanistic effects. Therefore, this type of training may be considered as a potential adjunctive non-pharmacological approach for the management of metabolic syndrome in middle-aged men, but further research with larger samples and active control groups is required.Trial registration Iranian Registry of Clinical Trials identifier: IRCT20241130063899N1, prospectively registered 01-11- 2025, https://irct.behdasht.gov.ir/trial/80642 .
SN - 2052-1847
ER -