PMID 35132123

Research
All papers

The high-intensity interval training introduced in physical education lessons decrease systole in high blood pressure adolescents

Popowczak M, Rokita A, Koźlenia D, Domaradzki J

Question

Does a 10-week Tabata-style HIIT program added to physical education lessons reduce resting blood pressure in normotensive and high-blood-pressure adolescents?

Summary

In Polish secondary-school students, adding a 14-minute Tabata-style HIIT block to one physical education lesson per week for 10 weeks reduced systolic blood pressure, especially among adolescents with high blood pressure. Diastolic blood pressure did not show a comparable intervention effect, and no adverse effects were noted.

Methodology

  • Adolescent secondary-school students, categorized by sex and normal versus high blood pressure.
  • 141 participants.
  • Bodyweight exercises in PE: push-ups, high knees, dynamic lunges, spider crawling, plank-to-push-ups, and side squeeze.
  • Work intervals: 20 seconds.
  • Recovery: 10 seconds active rest.
  • Intensity: Target 75-80% HRmax (145-157 bpm); first lesson EG HR 155.8 ± 18.2 bpm.
  • 10-minute warm-up, 14-minute HIIT, then several minutes flexibility/relaxation within one 45-minute PE lesson.
  • 1 session per week.
  • 10 weeks.
  • Cluster-randomized school-based controlled intervention with pre/post blood pressure assessment.
  • Systolic blood pressure, Diastolic blood pressure, and Anthropometrics were tracked.

Outcomes

Systolic BP

HIIT significantly reduced systolic blood pressure, especially in adolescents with high blood pressure.

Experimental high BP group reduced SBP by average 12.77 mmHg versus other groups, p < 0.0001; group effect p < 0.00001; group × BP status p = 0.0014.

Improved

Normotensive systolic BP

Normotensive HIIT participants had a small but significantly greater SBP reduction than normotensive controls.

Average decrease 1.81 mmHg; p = 0.0089.

Improved

Diastolic BP

Blood pressure status affected DBP change, but the HIIT intervention effect was not significant for DBP.

Group effect on DBP p = 0.1140; group × BP status p = 0.7261; BP status p = 0.0004.

Mixed

Safety

No adverse effect was noted due to the HIIT intervention.

No clear change

Insights

  • A short once-weekly bodyweight Tabata block can fit inside a standard PE lesson and may improve systolic BP in adolescents.
  • Effects were strongest among adolescents with elevated baseline BP.
  • School-based youth HIIT requires screening, teacher supervision, and attention to attendance.

Limitations

  • One secondary school only.
  • Prehypertensive and hypertensive participants were combined due to small subgroup sizes.
  • No nutrition control.
  • No average daily physical activity monitoring.
  • No continuous HR monitoring in later lessons.
  • Absence-based exclusions during intervention.

Safety

  • No adverse effect was noted due to HIIT intervention.
  • Students with medical contraindications were excluded.
  • Nineteen subjects were excluded during the intervention because of absence in PE lessons.