High-Intensity Interval Training upon Cognitive and Psychological Outcomes in Youth: A Systematic Review

Ana R. Alves, Renata Dias, Henrique P. Neiva, Daniel A. Marinho, Mário C. Marques, António C. Sousa, Vânia Loureiro and Nuno Loureiro
Additional contact information
Ana R. Alves: Department of Arts, Humanities and Sports, School of Education, Polytechnic Institute of Beja, 7800-295 Beja, Portugal
Renata Dias: Laboratory of Physical Activity and Health, School of Education, Polytechnic Institute of Beja, 7800-295 Beja, Portugal
Henrique P. Neiva: Research Center in Sports Sciences, Health Sciences and Human Development, CIDESD, 5001-801 Vila Real, Portugal
Daniel A. Marinho: Research Center in Sports Sciences, Health Sciences and Human Development, CIDESD, 5001-801 Vila Real, Portugal
Mário C. Marques: Research Center in Sports Sciences, Health Sciences and Human Development, CIDESD, 5001-801 Vila Real, Portugal
António C. Sousa: Research Center in Sports Sciences, Health Sciences and Human Development, CIDESD, 5001-801 Vila Real, Portugal
Vânia Loureiro: Department of Arts, Humanities and Sports, School of Education, Polytechnic Institute of Beja, 7800-295 Beja, Portugal
Nuno Loureiro: Department of Arts, Humanities and Sports, School of Education, Polytechnic Institute of Beja, 7800-295 Beja, Portugal

IJERPH, 2021, vol. 18, issue 10, 1-13

Abstract: Development of innovative and time-efficient strategies to involve youth in physical activity is pivotal in the actual inactivity pandemic. Moreover, physical activity may improve academic performance, of great interest for educators. This present systematic review aimed to analyze the effects of high-intensity interval training (HIIT) on cognitive performance and psychological outcomes in youth. A database search (Web of Science, PubMed, Scopus, and PsycINFO) for original research articles was performed. A total of eight articles met the inclusion criteria, and the Cochrane risk of bias tool was used. The studies’ results were recalculated to determine effect sizes using Cohen’s d. Different HIIT interventions reported improvements on cognitive performance at executive function (d = 0.75, +78.56%), linguistic reasoning (d = 0.25, +7.66%), concentration (d = 0.71, +61.10%), selective attention (d = 0.81, +60.73%), non-verbal and verbal abilities (d = 0.88, +47.50%; d = 1.58, +22.61%, respectively), abstract reasoning (d = 0.75, +44.50%), spatial and numerical abilities (d = 37.19, +22.85%; d = 1.20, +8.28%, respectively), and verbal reasoning (d = 1.00, +15.71%) in youth. Regarding psychological outcomes, HIIT showed higher self-concept (d = 0.28, +8.71%) and psychological well-being in boys and girls (d = 0.73, +32.43%, d = 0.39, +11.58%, respectively). To sum up, HIIT interventions between 4–16 weeks, for 8–30 min/session, at ?85% maximal heart rate, would provide positive effects on cognitive performance and psychological outcomes in youth.

Keywords: exercise; performance; concentration; attention; well-being; self-concept; evaluation; systematic review (search for similar items in EconPapers)
JEL-codes: I I1 I3 Q Q5 (search for similar items in EconPapers)
Date: 2021
References: View references in EconPapers View complete reference list from CitEc
Citations: View citations in EconPapers (2)

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