Effect of High Intensity Interval Training and Honey Consumption on Some Inflammatory Indices in Sedentary Subjects

Background: The sedentary lifestyle has been introduced as one of the main causes of disease and a predictor of morbidity and mortality. Inflammation is an essential contributor to the pathogenesis of diseases. The aim of the present study was to investigate the effect of high-intensity interval training and honey consumption on IL-6, IL-12 and TNF-a levels in sedentary individuals. Methods: Thirty-eight young, healthy and inactive men were assigned to one of the following interventions: Exercise+placebo (EP), Exercise+Supplement (ES), Supplement (S) and Placebo (P). Subjects in the exercise groups underwent a supervised HIIT program over 8 weeks. Exercise at each session comprised 2 min high intensity training with the intensity of 80-90% of heart rate max interspersed by lowintensity intervals of walking for 1 minute. Throughout the study, the subjects in supplement groups received 5 cc/kg body mass of 13% honey dissolved in plain water within 30-60 min before each exercise session. The subjects in placebo groups were administered with an equal volume of water solution with 5 gr sucrose. Before and 72h after the experimental period blood samples were collected to assess plasma levels of IL-6, IL-12, and TNF-a. Results: We observed that IL-6 levels significantly decreased in ES and E groups from pretest to posttest and there was a significant difference between the ES and control groups (Pvalue=0.023). However, no significant changes were observed for IL-12 and TNF-a (Pvalue>0.05). Conclusions: HIIT program along with honey consumption over 8 weeks could have favorable effects on inflammatory indices such as IL- 6 in subjects with sedentary life-style.