The purpose of study was to investigate the effect of a high-intensity interval training (HIIT) intervention on cardiorespiratory fitness (CRF), hormonal, and mental health markers in male adolescents. The main question it aims to answer is: Does HIIT improve CRF, hormonal (testosterone and cortisol levels, testosterone:cortisol ratio), and mental health (depression, anxiety and stress scores) markers. Researchers will compare HIIT (designed to experimental group) to non-training intervention (designed to control group) to see if the training program works to improve the health status. HIIT consisted of three sessions per week for 10 weeks, comprising of three sets of four to eight bouts of 30-s runs at high intensity \[100-110% of maximal aerobic speed (MAS)\], interspersed with 30-s recovery runs at low intensity (50% of MAS) between bouts.
High-intensity interval training (HIIT) is a time-efficient method for improving physical fitness in youth. However, limited evidence exists regarding its effects on testosterone and cortisol levels, testosterone:cortisol ratio, and mental health outcomes during adolescence, a critical period of development. This study was to investigate the effect of a HIIT intervention on cardiorespiratory fitness (CRF, expressed as maximal aerobic speed and maximal oxygen consumption), hormonal, and mental health markers in male adolescents. Twenty-eight healthy male adolescents (age, 14.9±0.74 yrs.) were randomized to a HIIT group (HIITG, n=15) or a non-training control group (CG, n=13). HIIT consisted of three sessions per week for 10 weeks, comprising of three sets of four to eight bouts of 30-s runs at high intensity \[100-110% of maximal aerobic speed (MAS)\], interspersed with 30-s recovery runs at low intensity (50% MAS) between bouts. Pre- and post-intervention assessments included CRF (VO2max), hormonal markers (testosterone, cortisol, and testosterone:cortisol ratio), and mental health markers (depression, anxiety and stress scores).
Study Type
INTERVENTIONAL
Allocation
RANDOMIZED
Purpose
PREVENTION
Masking
NONE
Enrollment
28
The HIIT program consisted of three sessions per week for 10 weeks, comprising of three sets of four to eight bouts of 30-s runs at high intensity \[100-110% of maximal aerobic speed (MAS)\], interspersed with 30-s recovery runs at low intensity (50% MAS) between bouts.
Tunisia
El Kef, Boulifa, Tunisia
Testosterone
Testosterone concentration, expressed in nmol/L, was analyzed using enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA) kits (Monobind, Inc., Lake Forest, CA).
Time frame: One day before the start and two days after the completion of the 10 weeks of training program.
Cortisol
Cortisol concentration, expressed in nmol/L, was analyzed using enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA) kits (Monobind, Inc., Lake Forest, CA).
Time frame: One day before the start and two days after the completion of the 10 weeks of training program.
The testosterone/cortisol ratio
The testosterone/cortisol ratio (T/C) was calculated by dividing the testosterone value by the cortisol value for each participant.
Time frame: One day before the start and two days after the completion of the 10 weeks of training program.
Depression, Anxiety, and Stress Scale - 21 items (DASS-21)
The DASS-21 is a self-report questionnaire that assesses symptoms of depression, anxiety, and stress (Lai et al., 2015). Each item is scored from 0 to 3, yielding a total score ranging from 0 to 63. Higher scores indicate worse psychological symptoms (greater levels of depression, anxiety, or stress). In the present study, we used the Arabic version of the DASS-21, which has been validated and shown to have good psychometric properties (Moussa et al., 2017), to ensure linguistic and cultural appropriateness for assessing adolescents' psychological well-being.
Time frame: Before the start and after the completion of the 10 weeks of training program.
Maximal aerobic speed
Maximal aerobic speed (MAS), expressed in km/h, was determined using the incremental running test (20-m shuttle run test) as previously described by (Léger et al. 1982). The test was designed to assess the aerobic capacity of schoolchildren, healthy adolescents, and adults.
Time frame: Before and after the 10 weeks of the training program.
Maximal oxygen consumption
Maximal oxygen consumption (VO2max), expressed in mL/kg/min, was determined using the incremental running test (20-m shuttle run test) as previously described by (Léger et al. 1982). The test was designed to assess the aerobic capacity of schoolchildren, healthy adolescents, and adults.
Time frame: Before and after the 10 weeks of the training program.
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