PMID 31717739

Research
All papers

Effects of High Intensity Interval Training on Executive Function in Children Aged 8-12 Years

Tottori N, Morita N, Ueta K, Fujita S

Question

Does a 4-week bodyweight and shuttle-running HIIT program improve physical fitness, working memory, and planning in children aged 8-12 years?

Summary

This non-randomized controlled study tested a short bodyweight and shuttle-run HIIT program in Japanese children aged 8-12. Over 4 weeks, children assigned by residential area to HIIT improved 20 m shuttle-run performance, sit-ups, and backward digit span working-memory performance compared with no-training controls. Standing long jump, digit span forward, and Tower of Hanoi planning did not show HIIT-specific improvement.

Methodology

  • Healthy Japanese children in grades 3-6, aged 8-12 years, with no prior HIIT experience.
  • 56 participants.
  • Bodyweight exercises and short shuttle runs.
  • Work intervals: 30 seconds maximal effort.
  • Recovery: 30 seconds rest.
  • Intensity: Target peak HR at least 85% predicted HRmax; mean peak HR 97.0% HRmax.
  • 23-25 minutes including 10-minute warm-up, 8-10-minute HIIT, and 5-minute cool-down.
  • 3 sessions/week.
  • 4 weeks.
  • Non-randomized controlled pre-post intervention study with a HIIT group and no-training control group.
  • 20 m shuttle run, Sit-ups and standing long jump, Working memory, and Planning were tracked.

Outcomes

Cardiorespiratory endurance

20 m shuttle-run performance increased only in the HIIT group.

Group x time p=0.043; HIIT within-group p=0.042, d=0.417.

Improved

Muscular endurance

Sit-up performance increased only in the HIIT group.

Group x time p=0.032; HIIT within-group p<0.001, d=0.683.

Improved

Lower-limb power

Standing long jump did not show a significant HIIT effect.

Group x time p=0.058; ANCOVA found no between-group difference.

No clear change

Working memory

Digit Span Backward score improved in the HIIT group, while controls did not improve.

DSB score group x time p=0.043; HIIT within-group score p=0.003, maximum span p=0.010.

Improved

Planning

Tower of Hanoi measures showed time effects but no HIIT-specific group-by-time interactions.

No significant interactions for Tower of Hanoi outcomes.

No clear change

Insights

  • A short 30:30 bodyweight HIIT block can be feasible in a supervised child gym or school-like setting.
  • Working-memory claims should be limited to Digit Span Backward, not broad executive-function improvement.
  • Strength/power benefits should not be assumed from light bodyweight HIIT alone.

Limitations

  • Non-randomized allocation by living area.
  • Small sample and unequal sex distribution.
  • Baseline differences in 20 m shuttle run and standing long jump.
  • No socioeconomic-status data.
  • No detailed adverse-event or attendance reporting.
  • Field fitness tests rather than direct VO2max.

Safety

  • Two boys in the HIIT group dropped out due to sickness.
  • The article did not report a detailed adverse-event or injury table.
  • Children were screened for medical, orthopedic, neurological, and attentional limitations.