Sedentary Students, University Students
Conditions
Brief summary
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.
Interventions
OTHERHigh intensity interval training
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.
Sponsors
Ma Ruisi
Study design
Allocation
RANDOMIZED
Intervention model
PARALLEL
Primary purpose
TREATMENT
Masking
SINGLE (Outcomes Assessor)
Eligibility
Sex/Gender
MALE
Age
18 Years to No maximum
Healthy volunteers
Yes
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.
Design outcomes
Primary
| Measure | Time frame | Description |
|---|---|---|
| Body composition (measured in centimeter) | Baseline (pre-intervention) and immediately after 6-week intervention completion | Bioelectrical impedance analysis (BIA) device (MC-780MA) |
| Core strength | Baseline (pre-intervention) and immediately after 6-week intervention completion | Plank test (measured in second) |
| Balance | Baseline (pre-intervention) and immediately after 6-week intervention completion | Unipedal stance test (measured in second) |
| Agility | Baseline (pre-intervention) and immediately after 6-week intervention completion | Agility T-test (measured in second) |
| Flexibility | Baseline (pre-intervention) and immediately after 6-week intervention completion | Sit and Reach Test |
| VO2max | Baseline (pre-intervention) and immediately after 6-week intervention completion | Progressive Aerobic Cardiovascular Endurance Run 20-m (measured in laps) |
| Sleep Quality | Baseline (pre-intervention) and immediately after 6-week intervention completion | Pittsburgh Sleep Quality Index (PSQI) (scored from 0 to 21, with higher scores indicating worse sleep quality) |
| Handgrip | Baseline (pre-intervention) and immediately after 6-week intervention completion | Handgrip dynamometer (measured in kilograms) |
Other
| Measure | Time frame | Description |
|---|---|---|
| Fat Intake | Baseline (pre-intervention) and immediately after 6-week intervention completion | Daily fat consumption measured by a validated 3-day food diary (measured in grams/day) |
| Protein Intake | Baseline (pre-intervention) and immediately after 6-week intervention completion | Daily protein consumption measured by a validated 3-day food diary (measured in grams/day) |
| Physical Activity Level | Baseline (pre-intervention) and immediately after 6-week intervention completion | International Physical Activity Questionnaire (IPAQ) long form (measured in MET-minutes/week, range: 0 to no upper limit, with higher scores indicating higher levels of physical activity) |
| Carbohydrate Intake | Baseline (pre-intervention) and immediately after 6-week intervention completion | Daily carbohydrate consumption measured by validated 3-day food diary (measured in grams/day) |
Countries
Hong Kong
Outcome results
None listed