PMID 35800026

Research
All papers

Feasibility of Online High-Intensity Interval Training on Psychological Symptoms in Students in Lockdown During the COVID-19 Pandemic: A Randomized Controlled Trial

Philippot A, Moulin P, Charon MH, Balestra C, Dubois V, de Timary P, De Volder A, Bleyenheuft Y, Lambrechts K

Question

Is an online bodyweight HIIT program feasible and potentially beneficial for psychological symptoms in higher-education students during lockdown?

Summary

A 4-week online bodyweight HIIT program for students with mild anxiety symptoms during COVID-19 lockdown was feasible, with 87% adherence and no physical adverse events beyond stiffness. Stress improved more than in passive controls; anxiety did not significantly improve.

Methodology

  • Higher-education students with at least mild anxiety symptoms during lockdown
  • 28 participants.
  • Bodyweight exercises delivered by online video.
  • Work intervals: 30 s high-intensity exercise.
  • Recovery: 30 s active recovery/lower-intensity exercise.
  • Intensity: High intervals RPE >=6 on modified Borg 0-10, corresponding to at least 80% HRmax; recovery RPE <=4.
  • 10 min.
  • 3 sessions/week.
  • 4 weeks.
  • Randomized controlled feasibility trial
  • Feasibility, Stress, Depression, and Anxiety were tracked.

Outcomes

Adherence

Adherence was high and dropout was modest for the online HIIT group.

Adherence 87%; dropout 13.33% (2 refused to continue)

Improved

Stress

Stress improved more with online HIIT than passive control.

Group x change p = 0.046; HIIT decline 7.5 [5.3, 9.8] vs control 2.5 [-1.9, 6.9]

Improved

Depression

Depression showed a favorable trend but not a conventional significant group effect.

p = 0.080; HIIT -9.5 [5.4, 13.7] vs control -3.7 [-1, 8.4]

Mixed

Anxiety

Anxiety did not significantly differ between groups.

p = 0.118

No clear change

Safety

No adverse physical events were reported beyond stiffness.

No physical adverse events; one HIIT participant had anxiety +2 points

No clear change

Insights

  • A 10-minute, no-equipment online HIIT format can be feasible for students.
  • Weekly reports gave the trainer adherence, RPE, recovery, movement, and safety feedback.
  • Stress outcomes looked more responsive than anxiety in this small feasibility trial.

Limitations

  • Small feasibility sample
  • Passive control did not match attention
  • Physiotherapy students may have unusually high adherence
  • No face-to-face supervision
  • Short follow-up

Safety

  • No adverse physical events except stiffness; no psychological increase except one HIIT participant with a 2-point anxiety increase.