PMID 39619092

Research
All papers

Effects of school-based high-intensity interval training on health-related fitness in adolescents

Jovanović R, Živković M, Stanković M, Zoretić D, Trajković N

Question

Does a 12-week Tabata-based HIIT warm-up during physical education improve cardiorespiratory fitness and strength in 15- to 17-year-old adolescents compared with usual PE warm-up?

Summary

In healthy male adolescents, replacing the traditional warm-up in physical education classes with brief Tabata-style HIIT twice weekly for 12 weeks improved shuttle-run performance, estimated VO2max, right handgrip, standing long jump, and countermovement jump more than usual PE warm-up.

Methodology

  • Male adolescents aged 15-17 years from first- and second-year secondary grammar school classes.
  • 60 participants.
  • Mixed bodyweight and running-style exercises.
  • Work intervals: 20 seconds.
  • Recovery: 10 seconds rest; 1 minute between two 4-minute Tabata blocks.
  • Intensity: 80%-90% HRmax calculated by shuttle-run test.
  • 9 minutes in the preparatory phase, including two 4-minute Tabata sessions and 1-minute between-block break.
  • 2 sessions per week.
  • 12 weeks.
  • Two-group randomized pre/post school intervention.
  • Shuttle run, Handgrip strength, and Explosive leg strength were tracked.

Outcomes

Shuttle run

Both groups improved, but the HIIT group improved more in distance and estimated VO2max.

SRT interaction eta_p2=0.111, p<0.01; VO2max interaction eta_p2=0.111, p<0.01.

Improved

Right handgrip

Right handgrip increased significantly in HIIT but not control.

Interaction eta_p2=0.102, p=0.02; EG p=0.001, CG p=0.056.

Improved

Left handgrip

Left handgrip increased in the HIIT group, but the group-by-time interaction was not significant.

EG p<0.01; interaction eta_p2=0.012.

Mixed

Jump performance

Standing long jump and countermovement jump improved more in the HIIT group than control.

SLJ eta_p2=0.182; CMJ eta_p2=0.112; p<0.01.

Improved

Insights

  • Brief Tabata blocks can be integrated into PE without replacing the whole class.
  • Bodyweight and calisthenic HIIT may improve both aerobic and explosive-strength outcomes in adolescent boys.
  • The intervention is school-supervised and should not be generalized to unscreened adolescents.

Limitations

  • Male-only sample.
  • Limited sample size and possible selection bias from participants declining participation.
  • Physical activity and diet were not objectively measured or strictly controlled.
  • Adherence and adverse events were not reported.

Safety

  • Participants had medical certificates confirming they were healthy and able to participate.
  • The article did not report adverse events, injuries during the intervention, or attendance.