Embedding High Intensity Interval Training (HIIT) into the school day: The Burn 2 Learn pilot trial for senior school students

The Burn 2 Learn intervention involved the following intervention components and implementation strategies: 1) Accredited teacher professional learning workshop: 1 x full day (5 hours) workshop was conducted for intervention group teachers identified and recruited as Burn 2 Learn 'school champions. The workshop provided a rationale for the intervention, including up to date evidence of the benefits of vigorous physical activity for cognitive and mental health, as well as the roles and responsibilities of school champions. 2) Introductory seminar: was delivered to Principals and teachers (20 min) by the research team. The seminars focused on the latest evidence regarding physical activity, fitness and academic achievement. The seminar included video files with testimonies from experts in physical activity and cognition. 3) Interactive seminar: Students participated in an interactive/practical training workshop (2 hours) delivered at the study schools by members of the research team. The workshop included program familiarisation, safety considerations and session delivery. 4) School-based activity sessions: The model of intervention delivery shifted from a peer-led model, with recruited 'peer-leaders' (i.e., students) organising and delivering the school-based exercise sessions, to a teacher-facilitated but student self-directed model. Instead of peer leaders organising exercise sessions during out-of-class time (i.e., lunch, before school etc), teachers were asked to facilitate the exercise sessions during scheduled lesson time. During these periods, teachers offered the opportunity to students and assisted them where necessary. However, the exercise sessions were self-directed by students. Our decision to move to in-class exercise session delivery was made before we started the program, but after the recruitment of participants (N= 68). Schools were encouraged to schedule 3 x sessions/week for 14 weeks. Each session will last 15-20 minutes (including warm-up and cool down). The sessions involved students participating in High Intensity Interval Training (HIIT), that incorporates a combination of aerobic (e.g., shuttle runs, jumping jacks, boxing, dancing) and muscle strengthening exercises (e.g., push-ups, squat jumps and walking lunges), organized into between 8-16 intervals (30 seconds work, 30 seconds rest; 1:1 work to rest ratio). HIIT sessions included variety and choice of activities within sessions to enhance motivation. Students selected from pre-designed HIIT workouts including boxing, dance, running, resistance training and sport-based HIIT (e.g., soccer, touch football and basketball). It was not mandatory for students to attend the sessions. Students' attendance at the activity sessions was tracked using heart rate monitors, which were synced to a smartphone/tablet using Bluetooth technology. The OnBeat smartphone/tablet application (app) was used to monitor students' heart rate during sessions. 5) Parents of intervention group students received 2 x e-newsletters containing information on the benefits of physical activity for academic performance and mental health and strategies to support their children, using the Skoolbag app and Facebook. 6) Equipment and resources: Schools were provided with an equipment pack to assist in the delivery of the Burn 2 Learn program (~$2500 AUD) - 1 x iPad, 1 x heart rate monitor/student, Bluetooth speaker and B2L session cards (i.e., describing the various HIIT workouts).