High-Intensity Interval Training for Cognitive and Mental Health in Adolescents

This study aimed to assess the effectiveness of an online high-intensity interval training (HIIT) intervention and health education on the behaviors, mental health, and cognitive function of sedentary young females. A single-blinded, six-week, randomized controlled pilot trial involving 70 sedentary young Chinese females, aged 18–30 years, was conducted. An intervention group (IG) (n = 33) underwent a HIIT intervention and health education, while a waitlist group (WG) (n = 37) only received health education. In pre-, mid-, and post-tests, both groups filled out questionnaires about physical activity, sedentary behavior, and mental health. Cognitive functions were assessed at the pre- and post-tests by computer-administered cognitive tests. A mixed-effect model with repeated measures was used to analyze outcomes of interest. The retention rate of the IG and WG was 100% and 78.38%, respectively. The IG were found to have significantly increased rates of moderate-to-vigorous physical activity (MVPA) (Mdiff = 940.61, p < 0.001, 95% confidence interval (95% CI): 576.67, 1304.55) from pre-test to post-test, while the WG demonstrated a more marked reduction in sedentary time (Mdiff = −73.02, p = 0.038, 95% CI: −141.90, −4.14) compared with the IG in the post-test. Moreover, anxiety and stress levels were shown to significantly reduce in the IG over the six-week period (Mdiff = −4.73, p = 0.002, 95% CI: −7.30, −2.15 and Mdiff = −5.09, p = 0.001, 95% CI: −8.29, −1.89, respectively). In addition, we observed a significant improvement in verbal ability (p = 0.008, ηp2 = 0.19) following the HIIT intervention and effects of the interaction with time on processing speed (p = 0.050, ηp2 = 0.10) and episodic memory (p = 0.048, ηp2 = 0.11). Moreover, the IG had better global cognitive performance than the WG in the post-test (Mdiff = 8.28, p = 0.003, 95% CI: 3.06, 13.50). In summary, both an online bodyweight HIIT intervention combined with health education, or health education alone, can effectively improve health-related behaviors, but the behavioral consequences may differ based on the emphasis of different intervention modalities. Furthermore, the “bodyweight HIIT plus health education” modality might be a more promising online intervention strategy to mitigate against negative emotions and improve cognitive function.

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Effects of Aerobic Exercise and High-Intensity Interval Training on the Mental Health of Adolescents Living in Poverty (Preprint)

10.2196/preprints.34915 ◽

2021 ◽

Author(s):

Kean Poon

Keyword(s):

Mental Health ◽

Socioeconomic Status ◽

Aerobic Exercise ◽

Low Socioeconomic Status ◽

High Intensity ◽

Interval Training ◽

Control Group ◽

High Intensity Interval Training ◽

Low Socioeconomic ◽

High Intensity Interval

BACKGROUND The increasing rate of mental health issues among adolescents has recently been a considerable concern in Hong Kong. In particular, adolescents with low socioeconomic status are likely to experience poor mental health including low self-esteem and high levels of anxiety, anger, and depression. Previous research has found that physical activities have a positive impact on improving mental health outcomes among adolescents. However, approximately 96% of adolescents in Hong Kong fail to engage in regular exercises, which potentially increase risk of poor mental health. OBJECTIVE This study aims to (1) examine whether changes in the three indicators (reduced ill-being, enhanced well-being and cognitive functions) of mental health among adolescents with low socioeconomic status are evident before and after exercises. In addition, this study (2) compares the effectiveness of aerobic exercise and high-intensity interval training in these indicators among adolescents with low socioeconomic status. METHODS A total of 78 participants from low-income families who are aged between 12 and 15 from three to four secondary schools will be recruited for this study. They will be randomly assigned to either an aerobic exercise group (n = 26), a high-intensity interval training group (n = 26), or a control group (n = 26). Participants in the first two groups will take part in a 10-week training program period. Participants in the control group will participate in other physical activity during the same intervention period. The training sessions will be conducted thrice a week on non-consecutive days. A range of neuropsychological tests and psychometric scales will be used to measure the executive functions and indicators of psychological well-being and ill-being, which include enjoyment, self-efficacy, mood, depression, anxiety, and stress at pretest, posttest, and follow-up. RESULTS - CONCLUSIONS It is hoped that the findings will help inform policymakers and practitioners for promoting the importance of physical exercises to enhance mental health. CLINICALTRIAL ClinicalTrials.gov (NCT050293888). Registered August 31, 2021, https://clinicaltrials.gov/ct2/show/record/NCT05029388

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M189. A PILOT RANDOMISED CONTROLLED TRIAL TO ASSESS THE FEASIBILITY AND ACCEPTABILITY OF HIGH INTENSITY INTERVAL TRAINING (HIIT) AMONG INPATIENTS WITH SEVERE MENTAL ILLNESS (SMI)

Schizophrenia Bulletin ◽

10.1093/schbul/sbaa030.501 ◽

2020 ◽

Vol 46 (Supplement_1) ◽

pp. S207-S208

Author(s):

Rebecca Martland ◽

Brendon Stubbs ◽

Fiona Gaughran ◽

Juliana Onwumere

Keyword(s):

Mental Health ◽

Pilot Study ◽

High Intensity ◽

Psychiatric Symptoms ◽

Interval Training ◽

Mental Illnesses ◽

High Intensity Interval Training ◽

Primary Endpoints ◽

Secondary Endpoints ◽

High Intensity Interval

Abstract Background High intensity interval training (HIIT) is a type of exercise involving alternating short bursts of high intensity exercise with recovery periods of rest or light exercise. HIIT has been shown to improve physical and mental health in healthy individuals and those with physical illnesses, such as cardiovascular and cardiometabolic diseases. Initial work has shown that HIIT may have similar benefits in people experiencing mental illnesses. The primary aim for the trial is to investigate whether HIIT is acceptable and feasible amongst inpatients with severe mental illnesses (SMI), including schizophrenia. The secondary aim is to investigate the impact of the HIIT intervention on potential outcome measures for a definitive multi-centre RCT, including mental health symptoms, cognition, psychiatric symptoms and cardio-metabolic risk factors. Methods A randomised, non-blinded controlled design of HIIT compared to treatment as usual (TAU) in inpatients with SMI will be undertaken. The RCT will act as a feasibility trial and a pilot study. Up to forty 18-60-year olds with a diagnosis of SMI will be recruited and randomly allocated to either 12 weeks of HIIT or 12 weeks of TAU in a 1:1 ratio. Those in the HIIT group will take part in two one-to-one sessions of HIIT each week for 12 weeks on a stationary bike. Each session will comprise: a 4-minute warm-up, followed by 5X 60 second intervals with 85–95% of maximum heart rate (HRmax), with active pauses of 90 seconds cycling at approximately 60–70% of HRmax, followed by a 4-minute cool-down, although this will be adapted for those with lower fitness. In comparison, participants allocated to TAU will be provided with details of their local hospital gym availability and instructed to maintain their usual dietary habits. Acceptability and feasibility will be measured using multiple primary endpoints including the proportion of wards that agree to hosting the project, the proportion of people who consent to take part, adherence and attendance rates, and the proportion of participants who experience any adverse events. Multiple secondary endpoints will be assessed including, mental health markers (psychiatric symptoms, cognition, global functioning, sleep quality, depression, anxiety and stress), self-esteem, cardiometabolic markers (BMI, weight, waist circumference, systolic and diastolic blood pressure), daily activity levels, and cigarette usage. Results Primary endpoints will be reported post-trial completion and summarised by treatment arm over the course of the study. Secondary endpoints will be reported as pre-post intervention change, and overall group differences will be reported. For these secondary endpoints, a statistical analysis will be conducted based on the intention-to-treat sample. Additionally, a subgroup analysis will be conducted whereby we will measure secondary outcome effects in a sub-sample of participants with ‘high’ attendance (>64%). Discussion Following the pilot study, if HIIT is considered to be feasible and acceptable amongst inpatients with SMI, including schizophrenia, a further large-scale multi-centre study can be developed and undertaken to assesses the effectiveness of HIIT in ameliorating mental and physical health parameters, and time to discharge, in this population group.

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The Effects of High-intensity Interval Training on Mental Health and Inflammation

Case Medical Research ◽

10.31525/ct1-nct04118309 ◽

2019 ◽

Author(s):

Keyword(s):

Mental Health ◽

High Intensity ◽

Interval Training ◽

High Intensity Interval Training ◽

High Intensity Interval

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High intensity interval training on cognitive and mental health in adolescents

Journal of Science and Medicine in Sport ◽

10.1016/j.jsams.2017.01.182 ◽

2017 ◽

Vol 20 ◽

pp. e108-e109 ◽

Cited By ~ 1

Author(s):

S. Costigan ◽

N. Eather ◽

R. Plotnikoff ◽

C. Hillman ◽

D. Lubans

Keyword(s):

Mental Health ◽

High Intensity ◽

Interval Training ◽

High Intensity Interval Training ◽

High Intensity Interval

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Effects of Aerobic Exercise and High-Intensity Interval Training on the Mental Health of Adolescents Living in Poverty: Protocol for a Randomized Controlled Trial (Preprint)

JMIR Research Protocols ◽

10.2196/34915 ◽

2021 ◽

Author(s):

Kean Poon

Keyword(s):

Mental Health ◽

Randomized Controlled Trial ◽

Aerobic Exercise ◽

High Intensity ◽

Controlled Trial ◽

Interval Training ◽

High Intensity Interval Training ◽

Randomized Controlled ◽

High Intensity Interval

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Study Protocol for a Pilot High Intensity Interval Training Intervention in Inpatient Mental Health Settings: A Two-Part Study Using a Randomised Controlled Trial and Naturalistic Study Design

10.21203/rs.3.rs-455096/v1 ◽

2021 ◽

Author(s):

Rebecca Martland ◽

Juliana Onwumere ◽

Brendon Stubbs ◽

Fiona Gaughran

Keyword(s):

Mental Health ◽

Feasibility Study ◽

High Intensity ◽

Controlled Trial ◽

Interval Training ◽

Naturalistic Study ◽

High Intensity Interval Training ◽

Inpatient Mental Health ◽

Mental Health Settings ◽

High Intensity Interval

Abstract Background: Severe mental illnesses (SMI), including schizophrenia spectrum disorder, bipolar disorder and major depressive disorder are associated with physical health comorbidities and premature mortality. Physical activity and structured exercise have a beneficial impact on cardiometabolic risk and ameliorate mental health symptomology and cognition. This protocol describes a feasibility study for a high intensity interval training (HIIT) intervention amongst inpatients with SMI, to improve their physical and mental health. Methods: The feasibility study follows a two-part design owing to Covid-19 related adaptations to project design: a) A non-blinded randomized controlled trial (RCT) of 12 weeks of bicycle-based HIIT, delivered twice weekly in a face-to-face, one-to-one setting, compared to treatment as usual (TAU). b) A naturalistic study of inpatient HIIT; eligible participants will be invited to two sessions of HIIT per week, delivered by the research team remotely or in person. Additionally, participants may use the bike to conduct self-directed sessions of their chosen length and intensity. We will measure feasibility and acceptability of the HIIT intervention as primary outcomes, alongside secondary and tertiary outcomes evaluating the physical, mental and cognitive effects of HIIT. The study aims to recruit 40 patients to the RCT and 6-8 patients to the naturalistic design. Discussion: Exercise is a modifiable lifestyle barrier that can reverse cardiometabolic disease risk. If HIIT is found to be feasible and acceptable in inpatients with SMI there would be scope for large scale work to evaluate the clinical, cost and implementation effectiveness of HIIT in inpatient mental health settings. Trial registration: ClinicalTrials.gov, registration no: NCT03959735, registered 22/05/2019, https://clinicaltrials.gov/ct2/show/NCT03959735

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