Skip to main content
SpringerLink
Log in

A Review of Adolescent High-Intensity Interval Training

  • Review Article
  • Published:
Sports Medicine Aims and scope Submit manuscript

Abstract

Despite the promising evidence supporting positive effects of high-intensity interval training (HIIT) on the metabolic profile in adults, there is limited research targeting adolescents. Given the rising burden of chronic disease, it is essential to implement strategies to improve the cardiometabolic health in adolescence, as this is a key stage in the development of healthy lifestyle behaviours. This narrative review summarises evidence of the relative efficacy of HIIT regarding the metabolic health of adolescents. Methodological inconsistencies confound our ability to draw conclusions; however, there is meaningful evidence supporting HIIT as a potentially efficacious exercise modality for use in the adolescent cohort. Future research must examine the effects of various HIIT protocols to determine the optimum strategy to deliver cardiometabolic health benefits. Researchers should explicitly show between-group differences for HIIT intervention and steady-state exercise or control groups, as the magnitude of difference between HIIT and other exercise modalities is of key interest to public health. There is scope for research to examine the palatability of HIIT as an exercise modality for adolescents through investigating perceived enjoyment during and after HIIT, and consequent long-term exercise adherence.

This is a preview of subscription content, log in via an institution to check access.

Access this article

Log in via an institution

Price excludes VAT (USA)
Tax calculation will be finalised during checkout.

Instant access to the full article PDF.

Institutional subscriptions

Similar content being viewed by others

References

  1. Andersen LB, Hasselstrøm H, Grønfeldt V, et al. The relationship between physical fitness and clustered risk, and tracking of clustered risk from adolescence to young adulthood: eight years follow-up in the Danish Youth and Sport Study. Int J Behav Nutr Phys Act. 2004;1(6):1–4.

    Google Scholar 

  2. Artero EG, España-Romero V, Jiménez-Pavón D, et al. Muscular fitness, fatness and inflammatory biomarkers in adolescents. Pediatr Obes. Epub 5 Jul 2013. doi:10.1111/j.2047-6310.2013.00186.x.

  3. McCormack SE, McCarthy MA, Harrington SG, et al. Effects of exercise and lifestyle modification on fitness, insulin resistance, skeletal muscle oxidative phosphorylation and intramyocellular lipid content in obese children and adolescents. Pediatr Obes. Epub 25 Jun 2013. doi:10.1111/j.2047-6310.2013.00180.x.

  4. Magnussen CG, Raitakari OT, Thomson R, et al. Utility of currently recommended pediatric dyslipidemia classifications in predicting dyslipidemia in adulthood: evidence from the Childhood Determinants of Adult Health (CDAH) study, Cardiovascular Risk in Young Finns Study, and Bogalusa Heart Study. Circulation. 2008;117(1):32–42.

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  5. Dumith SC, Gigante DP, Domingues MR, et al. Physical activity change during adolescence: a systematic review and a pooled analysis. Int J Epidemiol. 2011;40(3):685–98.

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  6. Ekelund U, Tomkinson G, Armstrong N. What proportion of youth are physically active? Measurement issues, levels and recent time trends. Br J Sports Med. 2011;45(11):859–65.

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  7. O’Donovan G, Blazevich AJ, Boreham C, et al. The ABC of Physical Activity for Health: a consensus statement from the British Association of Sport and Exercise Sciences. J Sports Sci. 2010;28(6):573–91.

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  8. Bailey RC, Olson J, Pepper SL, Porszasz J, Barstow TJ, Cooper DM. The level and tempo of children’s physical activities: an observational study. Med Sci Sports Exerc. 1995;27(7):1033–41.

    Article  CAS  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  9. Carson V, Rinaldi RL, Torrance B, et al. Vigorous physical activity and longitudinal associations with cardiometabolic risk factors in youth. Int J Obes (Lond). 2014;38(1):16–21.

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  10. Billat LV. Interval training for performance: a scientific and empirical practice. Sports Med. 2001;31(1):13–31.

    Article  CAS  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  11. Gibala MJ. High-intensity interval training: a time-efficient strategy for health promotion? Curr Sports Med Rep. 2007;6(4):211–3.

    PubMed  Google Scholar 

  12. Trost SG, Owen N, Bauman AE, et al. Correlates of adults’ participation in physical activity: review and update. Med Sci Sports Exerc. 2002;34(12):1996–2001.

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  13. Gibala MJ, McGee SL. Metabolic adaptations to short-term high-intensity interval training. Exerc Sport Sci Rev. 2008;36(2):58–63.

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  14. Little JP, Safdar A, Bishop D, et al. An acute bout of high-intensity interval training increases the nuclear abundance of PGC-1α and activates mitochondrial biogenesis in human skeletal muscle. Am J Physiol Regul Integr Comp Physiol. 2011;300:R1303–10.

    Article  CAS  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  15. Kemi OJ, Wisloff U. High-intensity aerobic exercise training improves the heart in health and disease. J Cardiopulm Rehabil Prev. 2010;30(1):2–11.

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  16. Wisloff U, Ellingsen Ø, Kemi OJ. High-intensity interval training to maximize cardiac benefits of exercise training? Exerc Sport Sci Rev. 2009;37(3):139–46.

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  17. Whyte LJ, Gill JMR, Cathcart AJ. Effect of 2 weeks of sprint interval training on health-related outcomes in sedentary overweight/obese men. Metab Clin Exp. 2010;59(10):1421–8.

    Article  CAS  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  18. Kessler HS, Sisson SB, Short KR. The potential for high-intensity interval training to reduce cardiometabolic disease risk. Sports Med. 2012;42(6):489–509.

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  19. Crisp NA, Fournier PA, Licari MK, et al. Adding sprints to continuous exercise at the intensity that maximises fat oxidation: implications for acute energy balance and enjoyment. Metab Clin Exp. 2012;61(9):1280–8.

    Article  CAS  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  20. Tjonna AE, Stolen TO, Bye A, et al. Aerobic interval training reduces cardiovascular risk factors more than a multitreatment approach in overweight adolescents. Clin Sci. 2009;116(3–4):317–26.

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  21. Buchan DS, Ollis S, Young JD et al. High intensity interval running enhances measures of physical fitness but not metabolic measures of cardiovascular disease risk in healthy adolescents. BMC Public Health 2013;13:498.

    Google Scholar 

  22. Baquet G, Berthoin S, Gerbeaux M, et al. High-intensity aerobic training during a 10 week one-hour physical education cycle: effects on physical fitness of adolescents aged 11 to 16. Int J Sports Med. 2001;22(4):295–300.

    Article  CAS  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  23. Burns SF, Oo HH, Tran AT. Effect of sprint interval exercise on postexercise metabolism and blood pressure in adolescents. Int J Sport Nutr Exerc Metab. 2012;22(1):47–54.

    PubMed  Google Scholar 

  24. Barker AR, Day J, Smith A, et al. The influence of 2 weeks of low-volume high-intensity interval training on health outcomes in adolescent boys. J Sports Sci. 2014;32(8):757–65.

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  25. Burgomaster KA, Hughes SC, Heigenhauser GJF, et al. Six sessions of sprint interval training increases muscle oxidative potential and cycle endurance capacity in humans. J Appl Physiol. 2005;98(6):1985–90.

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  26. Hopkins WG, Marshall SW, Batterham AM, et al. Progressive statistics for studies in sports medicine and exercise science. Med Sci Sports Exerc. 2009;41(1):3–13.

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  27. Roberts CK, Hevener AL, Barnard RJ. Metabolic syndrome and insulin resistance: underlying causes and modification by exercise training. Compr Physiol. 2013;3(1):1–58.

    PubMed  Google Scholar 

  28. Buchan DS, Ollis S, Young JD, et al. The effects of time and intensity of exercise on novel and established markers of CVD in adolescent youth. Am J Hum Biol. 2011;23(4):517–26.

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  29. Buchan DS, Young JD, Simpson AD. The effects of a novel high intensity exercise intervention on established markers of cardiovascular disease and health in Scottish adolescent youth. J Public Health Res. 2012;1(2):e24.

    Google Scholar 

  30. Andersen LB, Riddoch C, Kriemler S, et al. Physical activity and cardiovascular risk factors in children. Br J Sports Med. 2011;45(11):871–6.

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  31. Steene-Johannessen J, Kolle E, Andersen LB, et al. Adiposity, aerobic fitness, muscle fitness, and markers of inflammation in children. Med Sci Sports Exerc. 2013;45(4):714–21.

    Article  CAS  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  32. Dobbins M, Husson H, DeCorby K, et al. School-based physical activity programs for promoting physical activity and fitness in children and adolescents aged 6 to 18. Cochrane Database Syst Rev. 2013;(2):CD007651.

  33. Pate RR, Pratt M, Blair SN, et al. Physical activity and public health. A recommendation from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention and the American College of Sports Medicine. JAMA. 1995;274:402–7.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  34. Corte de Araujo AC, Roschel H, Picanço AR et al. Similar health benefits of endurance and high-intensity interval training in obese children. PLoS ONE 2012;7(8):e42747.

    Google Scholar 

  35. Thackray AE, Barrett LA, Tolfrey K. Acute high-intensity interval running reduces postprandial lipemia in boys. Med Sci Sports Exerc. 2013;45(7):1277–84.

    Article  CAS  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  36. Racil G, Ben Ounis O, Hammouda O, et al. Effects of high vs. moderate exercise intensity during interval training on lipids and adiponectin levels in obese young females. Eur J Appl Physiol 2013;113(10):2531–40.

    Google Scholar 

  37. Boutcher SH. High-intensity intermittent exercise and fat loss. J Obes. 2011;2011(868305):1–10.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  38. Koubaa A, Trabelsi H, Masmoudi L, et al. Effect of intermittent and continuous training on body composition cardio-respiratory fitness and lipid profile in obese adolescents. IOSR-JPBS. 2013;3(2):31–7.

    CAS  Google Scholar 

  39. Little JP, Gillen JB, Percival ME, et al. Low-volume high-intensity interval training reduces hyperglycemia and increases muscle mitochondrial capacity in patients with type 2 diabetes. J Appl Physiol. 2011;111(6):1554–60.

    Article  CAS  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  40. Boyd JC, Simpson CA, Jung ME, et al. Reducing the intensity and volume of interval training diminishes cardiovascular adaptation but not mitochondrial biogenesis in overweight/obese men. PLoS ONE. 2013;8(7):e68091.

    Article  PubMed Central  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  41. Bartlett JD, Close GL, MacLaren DPM, et al. High-intensity interval running is perceived to be more enjoyable than moderate-intensity continuous exercise: implications for exercise adherence. J Sports Sci. 2011;29(6):547–53.

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  42. Giguere VMC, Green AE, Latimer AE, et al. High-intensity intervals are associated with relatively positive emotional responses and elevated predictors of behaviour change. Med Sci Sports Exerc. 2011;43(1):324–5.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  43. Jung ME, Little JP, Gillen J, et al. It’s not too hard! Perceived enjoyment for high-intensity interval training in type 2 diabetes. Med Sci Sports Exerc. 2011;43(Suppl 1):20.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  44. Wisloff U, Støylen A, Loennechen JP, et al. Superior cardiovascular effect of aerobic interval training versus moderate continuous training in heart failure patients: a randomized study. Circulation. 2007;115(24):3086–94.

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  45. Kendzierski D, DeCorby K. Physical Activity Enjoyment Scale: two validation studies. J Sport Exerc Psychol. 1991;13(1):50–64.

    Google Scholar 

Download references

Acknowledgements

No funding was received for this review which may have affected analysis or interpretation of data, writing of this manuscript, or the decision to submit for publication. The authors have no conflicts of interest that are directly relevant to the content of this review. Greig R.M. Logan was funded by the Health Research Council of New Zealand PhD scholarship.

Author information

Authors and Affiliations

  1. Auckland University of Technology, Human Potential Centre, AUT Millennium Campus, 17 Antares Place, Level 2, Rosedale, Private Bag 92006, Auckland, New Zealand

    Greig R. M. Logan, Nigel Harris, Scott Duncan & Grant Schofield

  2. New Zealand Register of Exercise Professionals, Unit 8, 14 Broad Street, Woolston, PO Box 22374, Christchurch, New Zealand

    Greig R. M. Logan & Nigel Harris

Authors
  1. Greig R. M. Logan
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

  2. Nigel Harris
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

  3. Scott Duncan
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

  4. Grant Schofield
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

Corresponding author

Correspondence to Greig R. M. Logan.

Rights and permissions

Reprints and permissions

About this article

Check for updates. Verify currency and authenticity via CrossMark

Cite this article

Logan, G.R.M., Harris, N., Duncan, S. et al. A Review of Adolescent High-Intensity Interval Training. Sports Med 44, 1071–1085 (2014). https://doi.org/10.1007/s40279-014-0187-5

Download citation

  • Published:

  • Issue Date:

  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s40279-014-0187-5

Keywords

Search

Navigation