PMID 39871301

Research
All papers

Relationship between psychological empowerment, physical activity enjoyment, and response to a HIIT Program in physically inactive young women: a prospective multicentre study

Ferrando-Terradez I, Núñez-Cortés R, López-Bueno L, Alcántara E, Calatayud J, Casaña J, Parčina I, Dueñas L

Question

Are enjoyment and psychological empowerment associated with physical activity and fitness responses to a 6-month app-based HIIT program in physically inactive young women?

Summary

A 6-month app-based home HIIT program for insufficiently active young women was associated with higher self-reported physical activity and better plank performance among completers, but the study had no control group and very high dropout.

Methodology

  • Physically inactive young women aged 15-24 years recruited from schools and universities.
  • 61 participants.
  • No-equipment bodyweight video workouts.
  • Work intervals: 40 s high-intensity exercise.
  • Recovery: 20 s rest.
  • Intensity: High intensity with standard/advanced options.
  • 25-30 min.
  • 2 sessions/week.
  • 6 months.
  • Prospective multicentre single-arm intervention
  • Physical activity, Plank performance, Sleep quality, and Enjoyment were tracked.

Outcomes

Physical activity

Self-reported MET-min/week increased at 3 and 6 months.

Time effect p<0.001, eta2=0.336; baseline 1030.2, 3 months 2872.1, 6 months 2604.5 MET-min/week.

Improved

Plank

Plank performance improved over time.

Time effect p=0.005, eta2=0.085; post-hoc p value in text appeared internally inconsistent.

Improved

Sleep

Sleep quality did not significantly improve and worsened numerically.

PSQI p=0.428; baseline 6.9 and 6-month 8.8.

No clear change

Insights

  • A 40 s work / 20 s rest bodyweight format is directly usable in an app.
  • Enjoyment is a measurable retention and response variable.
  • Remote HIIT needs strong retention design because dropout can dominate outcomes.

Limitations

  • No control group
  • Very high attrition
  • Self-reported physical activity
  • Uneven country representation
  • No formal power calculation
  • Unclear session attendance
  • Some questionnaire validation limitations

Safety

  • The authors reported no adverse events during the experimental test and intervention.
  • The program excluded participants with diabetes, unsafe cardiac conditions, severe COVID-19 history, or unwillingness to wear a smartwatch.
  • Attrition was high: 106 of 167 assigned participants dropped out; detailed reasons were not fully extractable from the NXML text reviewed.