Effect of 6-Week High Intensity Interval Training on VO2max, Physical Competence and Sleep Quality in Sedentary Male University Students

Ma Ruisi56 enrolled

Overview

This study aims to investigate the effects of a 6-week high-intensity interval training (HIIT) intervention on physical fitness, cardiorespiratory capacity (VO2max), and sleep quality among sedentary male college students. Through a randomized controlled trial, we seek to examine whether HIIT, as a time-efficient exercise modality, can effectively improve these health-related outcomes in young adults who maintain predominantly sedentary lifestyles. This research will provide evidence-based insights into the effectiveness of HIIT as a potential intervention strategy to address the physical and physiological consequences of prolonged sitting behavior among university students.

Study Type

INTERVENTIONAL

Allocation

RANDOMIZED

Purpose

TREATMENT

Masking

SINGLE

Enrollment

Conditions

Sedentary Students University Students

Interventions

A 6-week HIIT exercise plan (running). Duration: Each session consists of 10 x 1-minute high-intensity bouts interspersed with 10 x 1-minute recovery periods. Adding the 3-minute warmup and 3-minute cool-down, each session totals approximately 26 minutes. This protocol is followed for 6 weeks. Intensity: High-intensity bouts are performed at 80-90% of HRmax (RPE 15-18). Recovery periods are at 40-50% of HRmax (RPE 11-13). Warm-up and cool-down are at 50% HRmax (RPE 11-13). Modality: Running, jogging, or brisk walking, either on a treadmill or outdoors. Supervision: The first three sessions are supervised in a laboratory setting. Subsequent sessions are unsupervised and performed at home with heart rate monitoring and remote data tracking via Polar Flow for Coach.

Eligibility

Sex: MALEMin age: 18 YearsHealthy volunteers:

Medical Language ↔ Plain English

Inclusion Criteria: 1. university students; 2. daily sedentary time \> 8 hours; 3. healthy individuals who are capable of physical tests or HIIT; 4. no regular exercise habits; 5. can understand English or Chinese. Exclusion Criteria: 1. self-reported history of neurological, psychiatric, or medical diseases; 2. current intake of medications and/or recreational drugs that could affect the central nervous system and/or the ability to learn.