A physical activity intervention based on high-intensity interval training improves cardiorespiratory fitness and fat mass in children aged 7 to 10 years
DOI:
https://doi.org/10.47197/retos.v71.115251Keywords:
CRF, HIIT, Physical Education, schoolAbstract
Introduction:Effortstocurbtheobesitycrisisshouldbeginatanearlyage,andpromotingphysicalactivityiskeytoachievingpositivelong-termoutcomes.Oneoptionishigh-intensityintervaltraining(HIIT),whichisbasedonhigh-intensityexercisesinshortorlongperiods,alternatingwithrecoveryperiods.
Objective:TodeterminetheeffectivenessofincorporatingHIITmethodologyintophysicaleducationclassesonfatmassandcardiorespiratoryfitnessinstudentsaged7to10years.
Methodology:Aquasi-experimental studylasted12weeks.Thesamplewasnon-probabilistic.Theinterventiongroupwascomposedof100schoolchildrenandthecontrolgroupof40.TheinterventionwasbasedontheincorporationofHIITmethodologyintophysicaleducationclasses.
Results:Aftertheintervention,thegroupthatincorporatedHIITmethodologyintotheirphysicaleducationclassesshowedsignificantimprovements,decreasingfatmass(girls,from33.9%to32.1%;boysfrom23.5%to22.5%)andimprovingcardiorespiratoryfitness(VO2max)(girls,from16.9to18.7;boys,from22.5to26.1).
Discussion:AHIITinterventionismoreeffectivethanatraditionalphysicaleducationprograminreducingfatmassandimprovingcardiorespiratoryfitnessinschoolchildrenaged7to10years.
Conclusions: The results allow us to consider HIIT as a valid option to increase moderate to vigorous physical activity time in physical education classes.
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