PMID 36743598

Research
All papers

The effect of HIIT on body composition, cardiovascular fitness, psychological well-being, and executive function of overweight/obese female young adults

Guo L, Chen J, Yuan W

Question

Does a short campus-based HIIT aerobics program improve body composition, cardiovascular fitness, psychological well-being, and executive function in overweight or obese young adult women?

Summary

In overweight or obese inactive female university students, a supervised 4-week campus aerobics-style HIIT program improved waist circumference, body fat percentage, estimated VO2max, depression-score category, and Stroop test performance versus a no-training control. Four participants dropped out for personal reasons, and the study did not report exercise-related adverse events.

Methodology

  • Inactive overweight or obese female university students.
  • 48 participants.
  • Aerobics/dance plus strength-based bodyweight exercise.
  • Work intervals: 10 s progressing to 20-25 s, 30-35 s, and 35 s.
  • Recovery: 10 s passive rest.
  • Intensity: >=85% HRmax.
  • Not fully reported; includes 5 min warm-up and 5 min cool-down.
  • 3 sessions/week.
  • 4 weeks.
  • Randomized controlled trial with wait-list/no-training control
  • Body composition, VO2max, Depression score, and Executive function were tracked.

Outcomes

Body composition

HIIT reduced waist circumference and body fat percentage while control did not.

WC 90.00 +/- 6.76 to 83.55 +/- 6.33; BF% 36.23 +/- 3.56 to 34.25 +/- 3.52; within HIIT p<0.01, time x group p=0.000.

Improved

VO2max

Estimated VO2max increased in HIIT and differed from control after 4 weeks.

HIIT 40.24 +/- 2.98 to 46.25 +/- 1.89; CON 40.9 +/- 2.82 to 41.31 +/- 3.18; group p=0.004, time x group p=0.000.

Improved

SDS

Depression scale scores improved in the HIIT group and worsened slightly in control.

HIIT 59.27 +/- 3.86 to 47.93 +/- 7.01; CON 57.5 +/- 4.10 to 58.95 +/- 3.40; time x group p=0.000.

Improved

SCWT

Stroop test performance improved in HIIT compared with control.

HIIT 14.44 +/- 1.60 to 16.65 +/- 1.83; CON 14.35 +/- 1.89 to 14.54 +/- 1.98; time x group p=0.000.

Improved

Insights

  • Bodyweight/aerobics HIIT can be delivered in a campus classroom with HR monitors.
  • Progressing work interval duration may be useful for inactive overweight participants.
  • Use screening and supervision when targeting >=85% HRmax in this population.

Limitations

  • Small sample.
  • Women aged 18-25 only.
  • No active exercise comparator.
  • Estimated rather than directly measured VO2max.
  • Diet, physical activity, and menstrual cycle were not tightly controlled.
  • Control group did not have weekly measurements.
  • COVID-19 and pre-exam timing may have affected mood outcomes.

Safety

  • Three HIIT participants and one control participant quit for personal reasons.
  • Adverse events and injuries were not reported.
  • Participants were screened with PAR-Q and medical history questionnaire.