Effects of High-Intensity Interval Training in School on the Physical Performance and Health of Children and Adolescents: A Systematic Review with Meta-Analysis

Nikolai Bauer; Billy Sperlich; Hans-Christer Holmberg; Florian A Engel

doi:10.1186/s40798-022-00437-8

Effects of High-Intensity Interval Training in School on the Physical Performance and Health of Children and Adolescents: A Systematic Review with Meta-Analysis

Sports Med Open. 2022 Apr 11;8(1):50. doi: 10.1186/s40798-022-00437-8.

Authors

Nikolai Bauer^{1

2}, Billy Sperlich³, Hans-Christer Holmberg^{4

5}, Florian A Engel⁶

Affiliations

¹ Institute of Sport and Sport Science, Heidelberg University, Heidelberg, Germany.
² Working Group Exercise Oncology, Department of Medical Oncology, National Center for Tumor Diseases (NCT), Heidelberg University Hospital, Heidelberg, Germany.
³ Chair of Integrative and Experimental Exercise Science and Training, Institute of Sport Science, Julius-Maximilians-Universität of Würzburg, Judenbühlweg 11, 97082, Würzburg, Germany.
⁴ Department of Health Sciences, Luleå University of Technology, Luleå, Sweden.
⁵ Department of Physiology and Pharmacology, Biomedicum C5, Karolinska Institutet, Stockholm, Sweden.
⁶ Chair of Integrative and Experimental Exercise Science and Training, Institute of Sport Science, Julius-Maximilians-Universität of Würzburg, Judenbühlweg 11, 97082, Würzburg, Germany. florian.engel@gmx.net.

Abstract

Background: Performance of high-intensity interval training (HIIT) by children and adolescents improves physical and health-related fitness, as well as cardiometabolic risk factors.

Objectives: To assess the impact of HIIT performed at school, i.e. both in connection with physical education (intra-PE) and extracurricular sports activities (extra-PE), on the physical fitness and health of children and adolescents.

Methods: PubMed and SPORTDiscus were searched systematically utilizing the following criteria for inclusion: (1) healthy children and adolescents (5-18 years old) of normal weight; (2) HIIT performed intra- and/or extra-PE for at least 5 days at an intensity ≥ 80% of maximal heart rate (HR_max) or peak oxygen uptake (VO_2peak) or as Functional HIIT; (3) comparison with a control (HIIT versus alternative interventions); and (4) pre- and post-analysis of parameters related to physical fitness and health. The outcomes with HIIT and the control interventions were compared utilizing Hedges' g effect size (ES) and associated 95% confidence intervals.

Results: Eleven studies involving 707 participants who performed intra-PE and 388 participants extra-PE HIIT were included. In comparison with the control interventions, intra-PE HIIT improved mean ES for neuromuscular and anaerobic performance (ES jump performance: 5.89 ± 5.67 (range 1.88-9.90); ES number of push-ups: 6.22 (range n.a.); ES number of sit-ups: 2.66 ± 2.02 (range 1.24-4.09)), as well as ES fasting glucose levels (- 2.68 (range n.a.)) more effectively, with large effect sizes. Extra-PE HIIT improved mean ES for neuromuscular and anaerobic performance (ES jump performance: 1.81 (range n.a.); ES number of sit-ups: 2.60 (range n.a.)) to an even greater extent, again with large effect sizes. Neither form of HIIT was more beneficial for parameters related to cardiorespiratory fitness than the control interventions.

Conclusion: Compared to other forms of exercise (e.g. low-to-moderate-intensity running or walking), both intra- and extra-PE HIIT result in greater improvements in neuromuscular and anaerobic performance, as well as in fasting levels of glucose in school children.

Keywords: Adolescents; Children; Health-related fitness; High-intensity interval training; Physical education; Physical fitness.

Publication types

Systematic Review