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

Ma Ruisi

Status: Completed

Conditions: Sedentary Students; University Students

Treatments: Other: High intensity interval training

Study type: Interventional

Funder types: Other

Identifiers

NCT07256847

SBRE-23-0914

Details and patient eligibility

About

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.

Enrollment: 56 patients

Sex: Male

Ages: 18+ years old

Volunteers: Accepts Healthy Volunteers

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.

Trial design

Primary purpose: Treatment

Allocation: Randomized

Interventional model: Parallel Assignment

Masking: Single Blind

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56 participants in 2 patient groups

High-intensity interval training (HIIT) group

Experimental group

Description:

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.

Treatment:

Other: High intensity interval training

Control

No Intervention group

Description:

Keep the usual life style without intervention.