# Psycho-Physiological Responses to a 4-Month High-Intensity Interval Training-Centered Multidisciplinary Weight-Loss Intervention in Adolescents with Obesity

PMID: 33132226
Journal: Journal of Obesity & Metabolic Syndrome
Published: 2020-11-02
Authors: Khammassi M, Miguet M, Julian V, Cardenoux C, Boirie Y, Duclos M, Pereira B, Thivel D

## Question

What psycho-physiological changes occur after a 4-month inpatient multidisciplinary weight-loss intervention centered on HIIT in adolescents with obesity?

## Summary

In 56 adolescents with obesity in a 16-week inpatient multidisciplinary weight-loss program, body weight, BMI, and fat mass decreased while perceived health, physical quality of life, and physical self-perceptions improved. Because HIIT was embedded with strength training, other activities, nutritional education, psychological support, and an isocaloric diet, the effects cannot be attributed to HIIT alone.

## Population

- Adolescents with primary obesity in an inpatient pediatric weight-loss program.
- Sample size: 56
- Age: 11-17 years
- Sex: 28 girls and 28 boys
- Fitness level: Low structured physical activity at baseline
- Health status: Obesity above the 95th percentile; medically screened and without conditions restricting exercise.

## Methodology

- Single-arm pre/post clinical intervention.
- 16 weeks
- Inpatient pediatric obesity service in France.

## Protocol

- HIIT-centered multidisciplinary program.
- Modality: Cycle HIIT plus strength training and other supervised activities.
- Work intervals: 30 seconds.
- Recovery: 30 seconds active recovery.
- Sets or repetitions: 15-minute 30:30 cycling HIIT block; strength training 10 reps per exercise, 3 rounds.
- Intensity: HIIT progressed 75-90% baseline VO2peak; strength 65-85% 10RM.
- Session duration: HIIT 20 minutes including warm-up, followed by strength training.
- Frequency: HIIT plus strength 2 sessions per week; total physical exercise 4 sessions per week plus school PE.
- Program length: 16 weeks.
- Progression: Intensity progressed from 75% to 90% of baseline VO2peak.

## Outcomes

### Body composition
Status: improved
Body weight, BMI, and fat mass percentage decreased.

p<0.001 for weight, BMI, and fat mass percentage.

### VO2peak
Status: no clear change
VO2peak showed only a trend and did not reach statistical significance.

26.35 +/- 5.81 to 28.79 +/- 6.59; p about 0.06.

### Quality of life
Status: mixed
Physical HR-QOL domains improved, while several mental or social domains did not.

Physical functioning p=0.002; physical limitations p=0.048; bodily pain p=0.030; general health p<0.001; PCS p<0.001.

### Self-perception
Status: improved
Physical self-perception improved across multiple domains.

Coordination p=0.022; endurance p=0.001; activity p<0.001; global self-concept p=0.015; appearance p=0.016; global PSP p=0.006.

## Practical Insights

- For adolescents with obesity, psychological and perceived-health outcomes may be important success measures.
- Do not attribute multicomponent inpatient results to HIIT alone.
- A 30:30 cycling HIIT block can be part of a broader supervised program.

## Limitations

- No control group.
- Multicomponent intervention prevents isolating HIIT effects.
- Heart rate during sessions was not recorded.
- No muscle-strength or broader fitness evaluation.
- Normocaloric diet was not individualized.
- Inpatient setting limits home and school translation.

## Safety And Adherence

- No adverse events were reported.
- Participants were medically screened and treated in an inpatient clinical setting.
- Heart rate was measured during sessions but not recorded.

## Original Sources

- [PubMed](https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/33132226/) (pubmed)
- [DOI](https://doi.org/10.7570/jomes20074) (doi)
- [PMC full text](https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC7789023/) (full text)

## Agent Guidance

Preserve the paper-level scope of this note. Do not generalize beyond the population, protocol, measured outcomes, and limitations above.