High-intensity interval training (HIT): A time-efficient exercise prescription for pre-diabetes?

Pre-diabetes invariably precedes type 2 diabetes, for which the personal and economic burdens are well known. Exercise is usually recommended as part of lifestyle interventions that aim to prevent progression from pre-diabetes to diabetes. However, adherence to such interventions is often poor, with lack of time usually cited as the main barrier to exercise. High-intensity interval training, or HIT, has been put forward as a more time-efficient approach to exercise compared to traditional exercise guidelines. This article considers the nature of HIT in comparison to traditional exercise guidelines and the basis of how insulin sensitivity and glucose transport might be improved. Finally, implications for practice with individuals with pre-diabetes are considered.