# Effects of Acute Long- versus Short-Interval High-Intensity Interval Training on Attention and Psychological States in a Sample of Male and Female Adolescents: A Pilot Study

PMID: 37763250
Journal: Life (Basel, Switzerland)
Published: 2023 Aug 31
Authors: Slimani M, Issaoui M, Znazen H, Hammami A, Bragazzi NL

## Question

Do acute short-interval and long-interval running HIIT sessions differ in their effects on visual attention, perceived exertion, and mood in adolescents?

## Summary

This randomized crossover pilot study tested one short-interval running HIIT session, one long-interval running HIIT session, and one seated reading control condition in 15 secondary school students. Both HIIT sessions improved visual attention compared with control, and the short-interval session produced the best concentration performance and fewest errors. Short intervals also produced less fatigue and more vigor than long intervals, while perceived exertion was similarly higher after both HIIT sessions than control.

## Population

- Fifteen secondary school students, 9 male and 6 female, mean age 16.2 years, physically active twice weekly.
- Sample size: 15
- Age: 16.2 +/- 0.4 years
- Sex: 9 male, 6 female
- Fitness level: Structured physical activity twice per week; mean VO2max 42.2 +/- 5.9 mL/kg/min.
- Health status: Apparently healthy adolescents.

## Methodology

- Randomized crossover acute exercise study comparing SIHIIT, LIHIIT, and seated control, with 72-hour washouts.
- Three acute experimental conditions separated by 72 hours, after a familiarization and MAS testing session.
- Outdoor 300 m track with paper-and-pencil cognitive testing and mood questionnaires.
- Randomized and controlled study design.

## Protocol

- SIHIIT.
- Modality: Outdoor running.
- Work intervals: 2 sets of 5 x 30 seconds at 110% MAS.
- Recovery: 30 seconds passive recovery between repetitions; 2 minutes active recovery at 40% MAS between sets.
- Sets or repetitions: 10 total 30-second reps.
- Intensity: 110% maximal aerobic speed.
- Session duration: Approximately 32 minutes including 10-minute warm-up and 10-minute cool-down.
- Frequency: Single acute condition.
- Program length: One session.
- Progression: None.
- LIHIIT and control.
- Modality: Outdoor running for LIHIIT; seated reading for control.
- Work intervals: LIHIIT: 3 x 120 seconds at 90% MAS.
- Recovery: 2 minutes active recovery at 40% MAS between runs.
- Sets or repetitions: 3 runs for LIHIIT.
- Intensity: LIHIIT 90% MAS; control no exercise.
- Session duration: Approximately 32 minutes.
- Frequency: Single acute condition.
- Program length: One session per comparator.
- Progression: None.

## Outcomes

### Concentration performance
Status: improved
Both HIIT sessions improved concentration versus control, with SIHIIT better than LIHIIT.

Time x intervention F(1,42) = 66.79, p < 0.001, ES = 0.76; SIHIIT vs LIHIIT p = 0.043.

### Total errors
Status: improved
Errors were lower after HIIT than control and lower after SIHIIT than LIHIIT.

Interaction F(1,42) = 89.74, p < 0.001, ES = 0.81; LIHIIT vs SIHIIT p = 0.03.

### RPE
Status: mixed
RPE was higher after both HIIT sessions than control, without a significant difference between HIIT protocols.

HIIT vs control both p < 0.001; LIHIIT vs SIHIIT p = 0.24.

### Mood
Status: mixed
LIHIIT caused more fatigue; SIHIIT had higher vigor than LIHIIT and control; other BRUMS subscales were not significantly different.

Fatigue p < 0.001; LIHIIT vs SIHIIT p = 0.03. Vigor p < 0.001; SIHIIT vs LIHIIT p = 0.04 and vs control p < 0.001.

## Practical Insights

- Short 30-second running intervals may be better than 120-second intervals before visual-attention tasks.
- RPE alone may miss mood differences: LIHIIT and SIHIIT had similar RPE but different fatigue and vigor.
- Acute cognitive claims should be limited to immediate post-exercise effects.

## Limitations

- Pilot sample of 15.
- Underpowered for sex-specific analysis.
- Only immediate effects tested.
- Healthy active adolescents only.
- No physiological intensity verification beyond MAS prescription and RPE.

## Safety And Adherence

- No adverse events were reported in the extracted article text.
- Sessions included 72-hour washouts, warm-up, and cool-down.

## Original Sources

- [PubMed](https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/37763250/) (pubmed)
- [DOI](https://doi.org/10.3390/life13091846) (doi)
- [PMC full text](https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC10532653/) (full text)

## Agent Guidance

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