Effects of Online Bodyweight High-Intensity Interval Training Intervention and Health Education on the Mental Health and Cognition of Sedentary Young Females

Yao Zhang, Beier Zhang, Liaoyan Gan, Limei Ke, Yingyao Fu, Qian Di and Xindong Ma
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Yao Zhang: Division of Sports Science & Physical Education, Tsinghua University, Beijing 100084, China
Beier Zhang: Division of Sports Science & Physical Education, Tsinghua University, Beijing 100084, China
Liaoyan Gan: Faculty of Kinesiology, Sport, and Recreation, University of Alberta, Edmonton, AB T6G 2H9, Canada
Limei Ke: School of Medicine, Tsinghua University, Beijing 100084, China
Yingyao Fu: Division of Sports Science & Physical Education, Tsinghua University, Beijing 100084, China
Qian Di: Vanke School of Public Health, Tsinghua University, Beijing 100084, China
Xindong Ma: Division of Sports Science & Physical Education, Tsinghua University, Beijing 100084, China

IJERPH, 2021, vol. 18, issue 1, 1-15

Abstract: This study aimed to assess the effectiveness of an online high-intensity interval training (HIIT) intervention and health education on the behaviors, mental health, and cognitive function of sedentary young females. A single-blinded, six-week, randomized controlled pilot trial involving 70 sedentary young Chinese females, aged 18–30 years, was conducted. An intervention group (IG) ( n = 33) underwent a HIIT intervention and health education, while a waitlist group (WG) ( n = 37) only received health education. In pre-, mid-, and post-tests, both groups filled out questionnaires about physical activity, sedentary behavior, and mental health. Cognitive functions were assessed at the pre- and post-tests by computer-administered cognitive tests. A mixed-effect model with repeated measures was used to analyze outcomes of interest. The retention rate of the IG and WG was 100% and 78.38%, respectively. The IG were found to have significantly increased rates of moderate-to-vigorous physical activity (MVPA) (M diff = 940.61, p < 0.001, 95% confidence interval (95% CI): 576.67, 1304.55) from pre-test to post-test, while the WG demonstrated a more marked reduction in sedentary time (M diff = −73.02, p = 0.038, 95% CI: −141.90, −4.14) compared with the IG in the post-test. Moreover, anxiety and stress levels were shown to significantly reduce in the IG over the six-week period (M diff = −4.73, p = 0.002, 95% CI: −7.30, −2.15 and M diff = −5.09, p = 0.001, 95% CI: −8.29, −1.89, respectively). In addition, we observed a significant improvement in verbal ability ( p = 0.008, η p 2 = 0.19) following the HIIT intervention and effects of the interaction with time on processing speed ( p = 0.050, η p 2 = 0.10) and episodic memory ( p = 0.048, η p 2 = 0.11). Moreover, the IG had better global cognitive performance than the WG in the post-test (M diff = 8.28, p = 0.003, 95% CI: 3.06, 13.50). In summary, both an online bodyweight HIIT intervention combined with health education, or health education alone, can effectively improve health-related behaviors, but the behavioral consequences may differ based on the emphasis of different intervention modalities. Furthermore, the “bodyweight HIIT plus health education” modality might be a more promising online intervention strategy to mitigate against negative emotions and improve cognitive function.

Keywords: online physical activity intervention; HIIT; health education; mental health; cognitive function; sedentary young females (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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