# The application of high-intensity interval training in college physical education and the improvement of students' physical and mental quality

PMID: 40396090
Journal: Journal of family medicine and primary care
Published: 2025 Apr
Authors: Wang X, Wu H, Meng Q, Chen J, Liu T

## Question

How might HIIT be applied in college physical education to improve students' physical and mental quality?

## Summary

This narrative article argues that HIIT could be introduced into college physical education to address obesity, low fitness, and depressive symptoms among Chinese college students, but it does not report a new intervention trial.

## Population

- Target population of college students; no original sample.
- Age: College-age; exact ages not reported
- Fitness level: Mixed; sedentary and low-fitness concerns emphasized
- Health status: Obesity and mental-health risk context

## Methodology

- Narrative review and applied commentary
- College physical education and primary-care-oriented health guidance context

## Protocol

- Proposed student HIIT.
- Modality: Flexible mixed exercises.
- Intensity: High/low alternation; individualized.
- Progression: Easy-to-difficult progression recommended.

## Outcomes

### Implementation rationale
Status: unclear
The authors argue HIIT may improve student physical and mental health, but no original trial results are reported.

## Practical Insights

- HIIT education and conservative progression are important when users have limited familiarity with interval training.
- College or app programs should include screening and recovery prompts rather than presenting HIIT as universally appropriate.

## Limitations

- Narrative review/commentary rather than original intervention research.
- No exact HIIT protocol, sample size, adherence, adverse events, or measured outcomes.

## Safety And Adherence

- No adverse events were reported because this was not an intervention trial.
- The article recommends individualized intensity, monitoring fatigue/recovery, and regular assessment to avoid overtraining or insufficient training.

## Original Sources

- [PubMed](https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/40396090/) (pubmed)
- [DOI](https://doi.org/10.4103/jfmpc.jfmpc_1376_24) (doi)
- [PMC full text](https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC12088573/) (full text)

## Agent Guidance

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