Meta-analysis finds HIIT and aerobic training improve different lipid parameters in youth with dyslipidemia.

OBJECTIVES: This study compares the effects of high-intensity interval training (HIIT) and aerobic training (AT) on dyslipidemia in children and adolescents, aiming to clarify their relative advantages in lipid metabolism and provide evidence for exercise-based management strategies. STUDY DESIGN: Systematic review and meta-analysis of randomized controlled trials (RCTs). METHODS: Following PRISMA 2020, randomized controlled trials comparing HIIT and AT for dyslipidemia in children and adolescents were systematically searched in Chinese and English databases. Two reviewers independently conducted screening, data extraction, and quality assessment. Meta-analyses were performed using RevMan 5.4 and Stata 18.0, calculating standardized mean differences (SMD) with 95% confidence intervals (CI). Heterogeneity, sensitivity, and publication bias were also assessed. RESULTS: Meta-analysis revealed that: (1) Total Cholesterol (TC): HIIT significantly reduced TC levels (SMD = -0.36, 95% CI: -0.57 to -0.14, P < 0.05), The effect size of HIIT (SMD = -0.62, 95% CI: -1.19 to -0.04, P < 0.05), was greater than that of AT; (2) Low-Density Lipoprotein Cholesterol (LDL-C): Both HIIT (SMD = -0.31, 95% CI: -0.51 to -0.11, P < 0.05), significantly reduced LDL-C levels, with both demonstrating moderate negative effects; the effect size of HIIT (SMD = -0.52, 95% CI: -0.92 to -0.12, P < 0.05), was greater than that of AT; (3) High-Density Lipoprotein Cholesterol (HDL-C): Neither HIIT (SMD = 0.10, 95% CI: -0.09 to 0.3, P = 0.31) nor AT (SMD = 0.12, 95% CI: -0.58 to 0.82, P = 0.73), significantly improved HDL-C levels; and (4) Triglycerides (TG): Both HIIT (SMD = -0.38, 95% CI: -0.70 to -0.06, P < 0.05), and AT (SMD = -0.82, 95% CI: -1.53 to -0.11, P < 0.05), significantly reduced TG levels, with both showing moderate negative intervention effects; the improvement associated with AT (SMD = 0.28, 95% CI: 0.03 to 0.53, P < 0.05), was greater than that with HIIT. CONCLUSIONS: Both HIIT and AT demonstrate distinct advantages in improving dyslipidemia among children and adolescents. As effective alternative interventions, their application should be tailored to individual circumstances and specific clinical needs.