title: High-intensity interval training programme for obese youth (HIP4YOUTH): A pilot feasibility study.
abstract: Recently, there has been growing interest in high-intensity interval training (HIT) as a strategy to improve health. In this pilot study, we examined the feasibility of a 4-week low-volume HIT and its effects on cardiorespiratory fitness (CRF), blood pressure (BP) and enjoyment in overweight and obese youth. Twelve adolescents (body mass index (BMI): 34.8 ± 3.9 kg · m‒2, 14.9 ± 1.5 years) participated in 12 sessions of HIT (10 × 60 s cycling bouts eliciting ~90% maximal heart rate, interspersed with 90 s recovery, 30 min/session, 3 sessions/week) over ~4 weeks. All the participants completed the study and exercise attendance averaged 92%. Despite no changes in body weight and total fat, HIT resulted in significant (P < 0.01) increases in CRF (pre: 20.1 versus post: 22.2 ml · kg‒1· min‒1) and exercise time (pre: 425 versus post: 509 s) during peak oxygen uptake test, and a reduction in resting systolic BP (pre: 115.8 versus post: 107.6 mmHg). The majority of study participants (83%) enjoyed HIT and more than half of the participants (58%) reported that HIT is a more enjoyable form of exercise compared to other types of exercises. Low-volume HIT is a useful strategy to promote exercise participation and improve cardiovascular health in overweight and obese youth.
authors.affiliation: a Division of Weight Management & Wellness, Children's Hospital of Pittsburgh of UPMC, School of Medicine , University of Pittsburgh , Pittsburgh , PA , USA.
authors.forename: SoJung
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Lee
authors.affiliation: b Department of Health & Physical Activity, School of Education , University of Pittsburgh , Pittsburgh , PA , USA.
authors.forename: Jenna
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Spector
authors.affiliation: a Division of Weight Management & Wellness, Children's Hospital of Pittsburgh of UPMC, School of Medicine , University of Pittsburgh , Pittsburgh , PA , USA.
authors.forename: Stephanie
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Reilly
mesh_terms: D000293:Adolescent; D001794:Blood Pressure / Q000502:physiology; D000072599:Cardiorespiratory Fitness / Q000502:physiology; D005081:Exercise Therapy / Q000379:methods*; D005240:Feasibility Studies; D005260:Female; D000072696:High-Intensity Interval Training / Q000523:psychology; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D009765:Obesity / Q000503:physiopathology / Q000523:psychology / Q000628:therapy*; D010349:Patient Compliance; D010865:Pilot Projects; D057181:Pleasure / Q000502:physiology
keywords: Childhood obesity; blood pressure; cardiorespiratory fitness; enjoyment of exercise; high-intensity interval training