# Self-selected Recovery in High-intensity Interval Training Promotes Positive Responses in Affect, Pleasure, and Mood in Young People

PMID: 42022443
Journal: Clinical Practice and Epidemiology in Mental Health
Published: 2026
Authors: Sant'Ana L, Vianna JM, Travassos B, Nakamura FY, Teixeira D, Scartoni FR, Dias A, Antunes R, Rodrigues F, Matos R, Machado S, Monteiro D

## Question

Does self-selected recovery during acute treadmill HIIT improve affect, pleasure, and mood compared with fixed active recovery in young people?

## Summary

In 19 healthy active university students, a single treadmill HIIT session with self-selected recovery produced emotional responses that were broadly similar to fixed active recovery. Both formats increased pleasure and improved several mood dimensions, but fatigue rose and vigor fell.

## Population

- Healthy active university students.
- Sample size: 19
- Age: 19 +/- 1 years
- Sex: 13 men and 6 women
- Fitness level: Active
- Health status: Healthy

## Methodology

- Randomized crossover acute laboratory study
- Three laboratory visits; acute exercise conditions separated by 48 hours after familiarization
- University laboratory treadmill setting
- Randomized and controlled study design.

## Protocol

- HIIT with self-selected recovery.
- Modality: Treadmill running.
- Work intervals: 30 seconds at 95% Vpeak.
- Recovery: Self-selected, mean 46.70 +/- 16.58 seconds.
- Sets or repetitions: 10.
- Intensity: 95% Vpeak.
- Session duration: About 30 minutes.
- Frequency: Single acute session.
- Program length: Acute crossover.
- Progression: None.
- HIIT with fixed active recovery.
- Modality: Treadmill running.
- Work intervals: 30 seconds at 95% Vpeak.
- Recovery: 1 minute at 40% Vpeak.
- Sets or repetitions: 10.
- Intensity: 95% Vpeak.
- Session duration: About 30 minutes.
- Frequency: Single acute session.
- Program length: Acute crossover.
- Progression: None.

## Outcomes

### Pleasure
Status: improved
Pleasure improved over time in both conditions.

Time effect p < 0.010; no condition effect.

### Mood
Status: mixed
Tension, depression, anger, and confusion improved, while fatigue rose and vigor fell descriptively.

Time effects reported for tension p < 0.001, depression p < 0.015, anger p < 0.015, mental confusion p < 0.001.

### Recovery format
Status: no clear change
Self-selected recovery was not superior to fixed recovery for emotional variables.

No condition or time-by-condition effects.

## Practical Insights

- Self-selected recovery can be offered without clear acute affective downside in healthy active young adults.
- Affect and mood may improve acutely after either fixed- or self-selected-recovery HIIT.

## Limitations

- Small sample.
- Acute-only study.
- Healthy active young adults limit generalizability.
- Long-term adherence was not tested.

## Safety And Adherence

- No myoarticular discomfort, pain, or injury was observed.
- All 19 selected participants completed all study stages.
- Sessions were supervised in a laboratory treadmill setting.

## Original Sources

- [PubMed](https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/42022443/) (pubmed)
- [DOI](https://doi.org/10.2174/0117450179378796260109054752) (doi)
- [PMC full text](https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC13096851/) (full text)

## Agent Guidance

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