Efficacy and feasibility of HIIT training for university students: The Uni-HIIT RCT

Narelle Eather; Nicholas Riley; Andrew Miller; Veronica Smith; Ashleigh Poole; Lisa Vincze; Philip J Morgan; David R Lubans

doi:10.1016/j.jsams.2018.11.016

Efficacy and feasibility of HIIT training for university students: The Uni-HIIT RCT

J Sci Med Sport. 2019 May;22(5):596-601. doi: 10.1016/j.jsams.2018.11.016. Epub 2018 Nov 24.

Authors

Narelle Eather¹, Nicholas Riley², Andrew Miller², Veronica Smith³, Ashleigh Poole³, Lisa Vincze², Philip J Morgan², David R Lubans²

Affiliations

¹ Priority Research Centre for Physical Activity and Nutrition, University of Newcastle, Callaghan, NSW, Australia; Faculty of Education and Arts, University of Newcastle, Callaghan, NSW, Australia. Electronic address: narelle.eather@newcastle.edu.au.
² Priority Research Centre for Physical Activity and Nutrition, University of Newcastle, Callaghan, NSW, Australia; Faculty of Education and Arts, University of Newcastle, Callaghan, NSW, Australia.
³ Priority Research Centre for Physical Activity and Nutrition, University of Newcastle, Callaghan, NSW, Australia.

PMID: 30509862
DOI: 10.1016/j.jsams.2018.11.016

Abstract

Objectives: The primary aim of this study was to evaluate the preliminary efficacy and feasibility of an 8-week high-intensity interval training program (Uni-HIIT) for young adult students in a university setting.

Design: Randomised controlled trial.

Method: Uni-HIIT was conducted at the University of Newcastle, Australia (February-June, 2017). Participants were university students 18-25yrs (n=53; 20.38±1.88yrs) randomized into the Uni HIIT program (n=26) or wait-list control (n=27) condition. Participants were required to attend up to three HIIT sessions/week for 8-weeks which included a variety of aerobic and muscular fitness exercise combinations lasting 8-12minutes (using 30:30sec rest:work intervals). The primary outcome was cardio-respiratory fitness (CRF) (20mSRT), and secondary outcomes included muscular fitness (standing jump, push-ups), body composition (InBody), executive function (Trail Making Test), anxiety levels (State Trait Anxiety Inventory) and perceived stress (Perceived Stress Scale). Linear mixed models were used to analyse outcomes and Cohen's d effect sizes were calculated. Process evaluation measures of recruitment, retention, attendance and satisfaction were conducted.

Results: A large significant group-by-time effect resulted for CRF [8.4 shuttles (95% CI(2.9-13.9), P=0.004,d=1.08] and muscular fitness [4.0 repetitions (95% CI(1.2-6.8), P=0.006,d=0.99], and moderate effect size was observed for Trail B [-5.9seconds (95% CI(-11.8-0.1.0), P=0.052, d=0.63]. No significant intervention effects were found for body composition, standing jump, anxiety or perceived stress (P >0.05). High ratings of participant satisfaction (4.73), enjoyment (4.54) and perceived value (4.54) were observed.

Conclusion: This study demonstrates the efficacy and feasibility of delivering a novel HIIT program in the university setting.

Keywords: adult; cardiorespiratory fitness; cognition; high-intensity interval training; muscular fitness.

Publication types

Randomized Controlled Trial

MeSH terms

Adolescent
Adult
Anxiety
Australia
Body Composition
Cardiorespiratory Fitness*
Feasibility Studies
Female
Health Promotion / methods
High-Intensity Interval Training / methods*
Humans
Linear Models
Male
Personal Satisfaction
Pleasure
Program Evaluation
Students
Universities
Young Adult