Abstract This study analyzed the responses of 24 sessions of High Intensity Interval Training (HIIT) and Continuous Moderate (CM) on tissue damage, oxidative stress and glycemic profile of rats in liquid medium. Twenty-four Wistar rats participated, divided into three groups: sedentary (GSED), the one who performed the HIIT (GHIIT) and the one who performed the CM (GCM). Performed three times a week alternately for 8 weeks, and the GHIIT performed 20 seconds of exercise for 10 rest. The CM was a moderate intensity swim. GHIIT increased creatine kinase compared to GSED (GSED: 140.40 + 35.48 U / I; GHIIT: 442.60 + 8.35 U / I; p = 0.0008, representing a percentage increase of 215.24); lactate dehydrogenase was increased in GHIIT and GCM compared to GSED (GSED: 112.8 + 28.08 U / I; GHIIT: 250.9 + 70.67 U / I, a percentage increase of 122.42; GCM: 241.8 + 100.70 U / I, with a percentage increase 114.36; p = 0.006), in contrast, GHIIT increased non-oxidized liver sulfhydryls compared to GCM (GHIIT: 498.70 + 214.30 nmol / ml; GCM: 270.50 + 104.40 nmol / ml, the percentage change was 84.36; p = 0.03). There was greater glycemic maintenance in the GCM (p = 0.0002). It is concluded that the protocols of HIIT and CM, of this study, point to a possible tissue injury, in contrast, HIIT develops the adaptive capacity of the hepatic antioxidant system and the CM promotes greater glycemic support.