Abstract
Overweight and obesity are major global health concerns linked to chronic diseases. This study compared the effects of high-intensity functional training (HIFT) and resistance training (RT) on metabolic, inflammatory, and physical markers in overweight men. Thirty-four overweight men (31.91 ± 2.44 years, BMI 27.78 ± 1.47 kg/m2) were assigned to the HIFT (n = 13), RT (n = 10), and control (n = 11) groups. The HIFT included four sets of 30-second exercises at 30% 1RM, whereas the RT involved three sets of 12 repetitions at 70% 1RM. Both interventions were performed thrice weekly for eight weeks. Blood samples were collected before and after training to assess the levels of inflammatory markers (IL-4, γ-IFN, MMP-9 and TLR4) and metabolic markers (FBS, LDL, HDL, triglycerides and cholesterol). Body composition and performance were evaluated. No significant differences in inflammatory markers were detected between the groups. HIFT and RT significantly reduced fasting blood sugar (p < 0.05). RT lowered total cholesterol, whereas triglycerides decreased in both groups. Skeletal muscle mass increased significantly. Compared with RT, HIFT led to greater body fat reduction, although both improved from baseline. Both groups had increased 1RM bench press strength. Compared with RT and the control, HIFT significantly increased VO2max, whereas RT improved VO2max compared with the control. HIFT is a promising approach for managing overweight and obesity, particularly for enhancing cardiovascular fitness and body composition.
Trial registration IRCT.ir, IRCT20170724035269N2, registered on 27/05/2025. This study was retrospectively registered.
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Data availability
The datasets generated and/or analysed during the current study are not publicly available due to participant privacy and confidentiality considerations but are available from the corresponding author on reasonable request. All shared data will be fully de-identified to protect participant privacy.
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Acknowledgements
The authors would like to acknowledge Dr. Nooshin Lotfi and the staff of the Immunology Department Laboratoryat Isfahan University of Medical Sciences, Iran, particularly Mrs. Fahimeh Hosseininasab, for their kind andinvaluable support.
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This study did not receive external funding and was not supported by any specific grant from funding agencies in the public, commercial, or not-for-profit.
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F.S.H.M. and S.A. conceptualized and designed the study (this study is based on the master’s thesis of both individuals). F.S.H.M. and N.E. drafted the initial manuscript, conducted the laboratory experiments, and performed the statistical analyses. N.E. also served as an advisor for this project and approved the final manuscript. F.S.H.M. and S.A. conceptualized the study, designed the exercise protocol, and conducted the training sessions. N.E. performed the final editing of the manuscript. F.S. and R.S., as supervisors, oversaw the work and validated the exercise protocol and data. All the authors reviewed and approved the final version of the manuscript.
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The authors declare no competing interests. This study was reported in accordance with the CONSORT guidelines for randomized controlled trials.
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The study was conducted in accordance with the Declaration of Helsinki and commenced after obtaining ethical approval from the Institutional Review Board of the Faculty of Sport Sciences, University of Tehran (protocol code IR.UT.SPORT.REC.1401.025, approved in July 2022). Informed consent was obtained from all participants prior to enrollment. Due to limited awareness among local researchers regarding international standards for prospective clinical trial registration and the absence of institutional mandates at the time, the trial was registered retrospectively. Following recognition of international requirements, the trial was formally registered without any modifications to the protocol or dataset in the Iranian Registry of Clinical Trials (IRCT.ir; registration code IRCT20170724035269N2) on May 15, 2025. This retrospective registration was authorized and overseen directly by the Vice-Chancellery for Research of the Faculty of Sport Sciences, University of Tehran, ensuring full transparency and integrity of the research process.
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Hosseini Moshkenani, F., Abedi, S., Shabkhiz, F. et al. High intensity functional training versus traditional resistance training effects on inflammatory, metabolic, and physical outcomes in overweight men a randomized controlled trial. Sci Rep (2026). https://doi.org/10.1038/s41598-026-40482-x
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DOI: https://doi.org/10.1038/s41598-026-40482-x
