Effects of high-intensity intermittent running exercise in overweight children

Abstract

This study examined the effects of a 6-week intermittent exercise training, at different intensities, on body composition, functional walking and aerobic endurance in overweight children. Forty-eight overweight children (age: 10.4 ± 0.9 years) were randomly assigned to either intervention or control group. Lower and higher intensity intermittent exercise groups (LIIE and HIIE) performed intermittent running three times a week. LIIE performed more intervals at a lower intensity [16 intervals at 100% of individual maximal aerobic speed (MAS), 8 minutes in total], and HIIE performed fewer intervals at a higher intensity (12 intervals at 120% of MAS, 6 minutes in total). Each interval consisted of a 15-second run at the required speed, followed by a 15-second passive recovery. After 6 weeks, HIIE had a significantly (p < 0.05) higher percentage reduction in sum of skinfolds (i.e. calf and triceps), and significantly (p < 0.05) fewer steps during the functional obstacle performance, as compared with LIIE and control group. Significant improvement (p < 0.05) was found in intermittent aerobic endurance for HIIE as compared to the control group. Higher intensity intermittent training is an effective and time-efficient intervention for improving body composition, functional walking and aerobic endurance in overweight children.

Keywords:

• Interval training
• fat burn
• obesity
• obese
• efficiency

Acknowledgements

P. W. C. Lau was responsible for study design, data collection and final manuscript revision; D. P. Wong was responsible for study design, data reduction, data analysis and manuscript writing; J. K. Ngo was responsible for data analysis and manuscript writing; and Y. Liang was responsible for study design, data collection and manuscript writing. C. G. Kim was responsible for research design and paper revision. H. S. Kim was responsible for research design and paper revision. We thank Miss Amanda Jane Pitkethly for her assistance in English editing.

Additional information

Funding

This study was funded by the Faculty Research Grant [grant number FRG/08-09/109], Hong Kong Baptist University.