Acute high-intensity intermittent exercise reduces fasting glucagon-like peptide-1 (GLP-1) levels in overweight sedentary women

Overweight remains a complex public health and global health challenge, with a lack of physical activity being a significant contributor to its prevalence and the associated heightened risk of degenerative diseases. Glucagon-like peptide-1 (GLP-1), an incretin hormone linked to overweight conditions, exhibits an increase in response to physical exercise. This study aimed to assess the impact of acute high-intensity intermittent exercise (HIIE) on fasting GLP-1 concentrations in overweight women. The research employed an experimental pre–post-test control group design, involving a sample of 20 overweight sedentary women aged 19–29 years, divided into experimental (EXP) and control (CON) groups. Both groups were required to observe a minimum fasting period of eight hours before the exercise (with water allowed). The EXP group engaged in high-intensity interval exercise (HIIE) using an ergocycle for 60 s at an intensity level ranging from 80% to 90% of the maximum heart rate (HRmax) at 120 rpm. Active rest was maintained at a low intensity (40 rpm for 60 s), and this cycle was repeated 10 times. Blood samples were collected both before and 60 min after exercise, which were subsequently analyzed using the Elabscience E-EL-H6025 human GLP-1 enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA). The results indicated a more significant reduction in fasting GLP-1 concentrations in the EXP group (pre: 17.23 ± 6.39 pg/mL; post: 15.11 ± 8.02 pg/mL; p = 0.07), compared to a non-significant decrease in the CON group (p = 0.17). Fasting delta GLP-1 exhibited a greater decrease in the EXP group (CON: −1.93 ± 4.11 pg/mL; EXP: −2.11 ± 3.29 pg/mL). In conclusion, this study found that acute HIIE influences the fasting GLP-1 concentrations, result in a decrease in fasting GLP-1 concentrations in the EXP group.