School-based high-intensity interval training programs in children and adolescents: A systematic review and meta-analysis

Duncombe, Stephanie L.; Barker, Alan R.; Bond, Bert; Earle, Renae; Varley-Campbell, Jo; Vlachopoulos, Dimitris; Walker, Jacqueline L.; Weston, Kathryn L.; Stylianou, Michalis

Abstract

Purpose
1) To investigate the effectiveness of school-based high-intensity interval training (HIIT) interventions in promoting health outcomes of children and adolescents compared with either a control group or other exercise modality; and 2) to explore the intervention characteristics and process outcomes of published school-based HIIT interventions.

Methods
We searched Medline, Embase, CINAHL, SPORTDiscus, and Web of Science from inception until 31 March 2021. Studies were eligible if 1) participants aged 5–17 years old; 2) a HIIT intervention within a school setting ≥ 2 weeks duration; 3) a control or comparative exercise group; 4) health-related, cognitive, physical activity, nutrition, or program evaluation outcomes; and 5) original research published in English. We conducted meta-analyses between HIIT and control groups for all outcomes with ≥ 4 studies and meta-regressions for all outcomes with ≥ 10 studies. We narratively synthesised results between HIIT and comparative exercise groups.

Results
Fifty-four papers met eligibility criteria, encompassing 42 unique studies (35 randomised controlled trials; 36 with a high risk of bias). Meta-analyses indicated significant improvements in waist circumference (mean difference (MD) = -2.5cm), body fat percentage (MD = -1.7%), body mass index (standardised mean difference (SMD) = -1.0), cardiorespiratory fitness (SMD = +1.0), resting heart rate (MD = -5bpm), homeostatic model assessment–insulin resistance (MD = -0.7), and low-density lipoprotein cholesterol (SMD = -0.9) for HIIT compared to the control group. Our narrative synthesis indicated mixed findings between HIIT and other comparative exercise groups.

Conclusion
School-based HIIT is effective for improving several health outcomes. Future research should address the paucity of information on physical activity and nutrition outcomes and focus on the integration and long-term effectiveness of HIIT interventions within school settings.

Citation

Duncombe, S. L., Barker, A. R., Bond, B., Earle, R., Varley-Campbell, J., Vlachopoulos, D., …Stylianou, M. (2022). School-based high-intensity interval training programs in children and adolescents: A systematic review and meta-analysis. PLOS ONE, 17(5), Article e0266427. https://doi.org/10.1371/journal.pone.0266427

• Journal Article Type: Article
• Acceptance Date: Mar 18, 2022
• Online Publication Date: May 4, 2022
• Publication Date: 2022
• Deposit Date: May 23, 2022
• Publicly Available Date: May 23, 2022
• Print ISSN: 1932-6203
• Publisher: Public Library of Science
• Peer Reviewed: Peer Reviewed
• Volume: 17
• Issue: 5
• Article Number: e0266427
• DOI: https://doi.org/10.1371/journal.pone.0266427
• Public URL: http://researchrepository.napier.ac.uk/Output/2873397