An interventional study of High-intensity interval training program in Hormonal Response, Mineral Metabolism and Exercise Training, sponsored by High Institute of Sports and Physical Education of Kef. Completed at 1 site in Tunisia. Open to male participants aged 19 Years to 25 Years, including healthy volunteers. Per ClinicalTrials.gov, last updated 2026-10-26.
Sponsored by High Institute of Sports and Physical Education of Kef · Not applicable, Interventional, and Prevention
The purpose of this study is to investigate the effects of a high-intensity interval training (HIIT) program on hormonal and mineral biomarkers and aerobic fitness in male university students. The study aims to determine whether HIIT improves hormonal biomarkers, including testosterone, cortisol, the testosterone-to-cortisol ratio, and growth hormone (GH), as well as mineral metabolism biomarkers, including parathyroid hormone (PTH), 25-hydroxyvitamin D [25(OH)D], calcium, and phosphate. Participants will be assigned to either a HIIT group or a non-training control group. The HIIT group completed three sessions per week for 9 weeks, alternating 30-second runs at high-intensity and low-intensity. The control group did not participate in the training intervention and maintained its usual daily activities.
Chronic exercise, particularly high-intensity interval training (HIIT), is a time-efficient training strategy that may improve cardiorespiratory fitness. However, its effects on resting hormonal biomarkers and mineral metabolism remain insufficiently characterized in male university students. The purpose of this randomized controlled trial was to investigate the effects of a 9-week HIIT program on hormonal biomarkers, mineral metabolism, and aerobic fitness in male university students. The hormonal biomarkers assessed included testosterone, cortisol, the testosterone-to-cortisol ratio, and growth hormone (GH). Mineral metabolism was evaluated by measuring circulating parathyroid hormone (PTH), 25-hydroxyvitamin D [25(OH)D], calcium, and phosphate concentrations. Aerobic fitness was assessed using maximal aerobic speed (MAS) and maximal oxygen uptake (VO2max). Participants were allocated to either an experimental HIIT group or a non-training control group. The HIIT intervention consisted of three sessions per week for 9 weeks. Each session comprised three sets of 6-8 repetitions of 30-second running bouts performed at 100-110% of MAS, interspersed with 30-second active recovery runs at 50% of MAS. The control group did not participate in the HIIT intervention and maintained its usual daily activities. Study outcomes were evaluated before and after the intervention to determine changes in hormonal biomarkers, mineral metabolism, and aerobic fitness.
High Institute of Sports and Physical Education of Kef is the lead sponsor of 10 studies on the registry; 3 are open to participants now.
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Informed consent
Before you join, the study team explains what taking part involves — its purpose, what happens, the risks and possible benefits — and answers your questions, so you can decide freely. Consent is usually recorded on a form (the informed consent form, ICF) signed by you or, where the law allows, by someone legally authorised to decide for you.
You can keep asking questions during the study, you are told of new information that matters, and you can choose to leave at any time.
Explained by clinicaltrials.gg, not part of the registry record. The study team decides who can take part.
Participants in the intervention group completed a high-intensity interval training (HIIT) program consisting of three sessions per week for 9 weeks. Each session comprised three sets of 6-8 repetitions of 30-second running bouts performed at 100-110% of maximal aerobic speed (MAS), interspersed with 30-second active recovery runs at 50% of MAS.
Behavioral: High-intensity interval training program
Participants in the control group maintained their usual daily activities and did not participate in the HIIT intervention throughout the 9-week study period.
The high-intensity interval training program consisted of three sessions per week for 9 weeks. Each session comprised three sets of 6-8 repetitions of 30-second running bouts performed at 100-110% of maximal aerobic speed (MAS), interspersed with 30-second active recovery runs at 50% of MAS between bouts.
Testosterone
Testosterone concentration, expressed in µg/dL, was measured using enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA) kits (Monobind, Inc., Lake Forest, CA).
Time frame: One day before the start and two days after the completion of the 09 weeks of training program
Cortisol
Cortisol concentration, expressed in µg/dL, was measured using an automated chemiluminescence immunoassay (DiaSorin Inc., Stillwater, MN).
Time frame: One day before the start and two days after the completion of the 09 weeks of training program.
Testosterone/cortisol ratio
Testosterone/cortisol ratio (T/C) was calculated by dividing the testosterone value by the cortisol value for each participant.
Time frame: One day before the start and two days after the completion of the 09 weeks of training program.
Parathyroid Hormone
Parathyroid hormone concentration, expressed in pg/mL, was measured using an automated chemiluminescence immunoassay (DiaSorin Inc., Stillwater, MN).
Time frame: One day before the start and two days after the completion of the 09 weeks of training program.
Growth hormone
Growth hormone concentration, expressed in mIU/L, was measured using an immunoradiometric assay (IRMA GH; Beckman Coulter).
Time frame: One day before the start and two days after the completion of the 09 weeks of training program.
25-hydroxyvitamin D
25-hydroxyvitamin D \[25(OH)D\] concentration, expressed in ng/mL, was analyzed using an automated chemiluminescence immunoassay (DiaSorin Inc., Stillwater, MN).
Time frame: One day before the start and two days after the completion of the 09 weeks of training program.
Aerobic capacity
Aerobic capacity was assessed using the Vameval incremental running test performed to exhaustion (Cazorla, 1999). Maximal aerobic speed (MAS), expressed in km/h, was determined from the highest running speed achieved during the test, and maximal oxygen uptake (VO₂max), expressed in mL·kg-¹·min-¹, was estimated using the Vameval protocol (Cazorla, 1999).
Time frame: One day before the start and two days after the completion of the 09 weeks of training program.
Calcium
Calcium concentration, expressed in mg/L, was assessed on Architect C8000 analyzer (Abbott Laboratories, Abbott Park, IL), using the respective reagents kits.
Time frame: One day before the start and two days after the completion of the 09 weeks of training program.
Phosphorus
Phosphorus concentration, expressed in mg/L, was assessed on Architect C8000 analyzer (Abbott Laboratories, Abbott Park, IL), using the respective reagents kits.
Time frame: One day before the start and two days after the completion of the 09 weeks of training program.
Plan to share: No
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High Institute of Sports and Physical Education of Kef