Hochintensives Intervalltraining im Sportunterricht

Effects of Different Types of High-Intensity Interval Training (HIIT) on Endurance and Strength Parameters in Children and Adolescents

High-Intensity Interval Training (HIIT) promises high training effects on aerobic fitness in children, adolescents and adults in a relatively short time. It is therefore well-established in professional training settings. HIIT methods could also be suited to Physical Education (P.E.) lessons and contribute to students’ health and fitness. Since HIIT sessions need little time and equipment, they can be efficiently implemented in P.E. However, there are few studies which have examined non-running-based HIIT programs in the school sport setting. We therefore conducted an intervention study including 121 students aged 11−15 attending a secondary school in Baden Württemberg, Germany. The effects of three different forms of HIIT training varying in duration and content (4 × 4 HIIT, 12 × 1 HIIT, CIRCUIT) were analyzed. The training was conducted twice a week over 6 weeks (10−12 sessions). Strength and endurance performances were determined in pre- and posttests prior to and after the intervention. Results verified that all three HIIT programs led to significant improvements in aerobic fitness (p < 0.001; part ŋ2 = 0.549) with no significant interaction between time x group. In contrast to the running-based HIIT sessions, CIRCUIT training also led to significant improvements in all of the measured strength parameters. Retrospectively, students were asked to assess their perception of the training intervention. The HIIT sessions were well-suited to students who considered themselves as “athletic”. Less athletic students found it difficult to reach the necessary intensity levels. The evaluation showed that endurance training conducted in P.E. lessons needs a variety of different contents in order to sufficiently motivate students. Students perceiving themselves as “unathletic” may need additional support to reach the required intensities of HIIT. Circuit training sessions using whole-body drills can be efficiently implemented in the P.E. setting and contribute to students’ health and fitness.

Effects of High-Intensity Interval Training in School on the Physical Performance and Health of Children and Adolescents: A Systematic Review with Meta-Analysis

Background

Performance of high-intensity interval training (HIIT) by children and adolescents improves physical and health-related fitness, as well as cardiometabolic risk factors.

Objectives

To assess the impact of HIIT performed at school, i.e. both in connection with physical education (intra-PE) and extracurricular sports activities (extra-PE), on the physical fitness and health of children and adolescents.

Methods

PubMed and SPORTDiscus were searched systematically utilizing the following criteria for inclusion: (1) healthy children and adolescents (5–18 years old) of normal weight; (2) HIIT performed intra- and/or extra-PE for at least 5 days at an intensity ≥ 80% of maximal heart rate (HR_max) or peak oxygen uptake (VO_2peak) or as Functional HIIT; (3) comparison with a control (HIIT versus alternative interventions); and (4) pre- and post-analysis of parameters related to physical fitness and health. The outcomes with HIIT and the control interventions were compared utilizing Hedges’ g effect size (ES) and associated 95% confidence intervals.

Results

Eleven studies involving 707 participants who performed intra-PE and 388 participants extra-PE HIIT were included. In comparison with the control interventions, intra-PE HIIT improved mean ES for neuromuscular and anaerobic performance (ES jump performance: 5.89 ± 5.67 (range 1.88–9.90); ES number of push-ups: 6.22 (range n.a.); ES number of sit-ups: 2.66 ± 2.02 (range 1.24–4.09)), as well as ES fasting glucose levels (− 2.68 (range n.a.)) more effectively, with large effect sizes. Extra-PE HIIT improved mean ES for neuromuscular and anaerobic performance (ES jump performance: 1.81 (range n.a.); ES number of sit-ups: 2.60 (range n.a.)) to an even greater extent, again with large effect sizes. Neither form of HIIT was more beneficial for parameters related to cardiorespiratory fitness than the control interventions.

Conclusion

Compared to other forms of exercise (e.g. low-to-moderate-intensity running or walking), both intra- and extra-PE HIIT result in greater improvements in neuromuscular and anaerobic performance, as well as in fasting levels of glucose in school children.

Bewegungszeit, Belastungsintensität und Bewegungsumfang im Sportunterricht

Untersuchungen zu Bewegungsanteilen im Sportunterricht unter Verwendung objektiver Verfahren sind in Deutschland selten. Sie sind jedoch sowohl aus gesundheits- und trainingswissenschaftlicher als auch aus sportpädagogischer Perspektive von Interesse, um Schulsportwirklichkeit systematisch analysieren zu können. Der vorliegende Beitrag untersucht Bewegungszeit (Minuten), Belastungsintensität (Herzschläge pro Minute) und Bewegungsumfang (Meter pro Minute) im Sportunterricht am Beispiel des Unterrichtsinhalts Fußball. Im Zentrum steht die Frage, ob sich Unterschiede für die Unterrichtsdauer (Einzelstunde/Doppelstunde), das Setting (indoor/outdoor) und das Geschlecht zeigen. Insgesamt nahmen 356 Schüler*innen (247 männlich, 109 weiblich) von der fünften bis zur zehnten Jahrgangsstufe (MAlter = 12,4 Jahre) eines Gymnasiums in Bayern an der Untersuchung teil. Zum Einsatz kamen standardisierte Beobachtungsprotokolle, Herzfrequenzmesser und ein Trackingsystem (Local Position Measurement System [LPM-System]). Die Ergebnisse zeigten, dass die relative Bewegungszeit, die Belastungsintensität und der Bewegungsumfang in Einzelstunden am höchsten waren. Die relative Bewegungszeit war outdoor etwas höher als indoor. Die durchschnittliche Herzfrequenz unterschied sich nicht nach Setting und Geschlecht. Jungen erzielten einen höheren durchschnittlichen Bewegungsumfang im Vergleich zu Mädchen. Insgesamt deuten die Ergebnisse darauf hin, dass der Sportunterricht mit dem Inhalt Fußball einen substanziellen Beitrag zum täglichen Gesundheits- und Bewegungsverhalten leisten kann.

Classroom-Based Micro-Sessions of Functional High-Intensity Circuit Training Enhances Functional Strength but Not Cardiorespiratory Fitness in School Children-A Feasibility Study

The present study assessed the short-term effect of 6 min classroom-based micro-sessions of multi-joint functional high-intensity circuit training (FunctionalHIIT) performed by students during regular classes on parameters related to functional strength and cardiorespiratory fitness. In this randomized controlled 4-week study, 17 students (11 male; 6 female; age: 11.6 ± 0.2 years) performed 6 min of FunctionalHIIT (targeting >17 on the Borg scale) 4 days per week during regular school classes and 18 students (11 male; 7 female; age: 11.7 ± 0.3 years) served as control group (CG) without any additional in-class physical activity. The FunctionalHIIT group completed 86% of all planned sessions (mean duration: 6.0 ± 1.5 min) with a mean RPE of 17.3 ± 2.1. Body height, mass and BMI did not differ between the groups at baseline or between pre- and post-testing (p > 0.05; eta2 ≤ 0.218). The performances in lateral jumping (p < 0.000; part eta2 = 0.382; Δ% 4.6 ± 8.6), sit-ups (p < 0.000; part eta2 = 0.485; Δ% 3.1 ± 8.6) and 20-m sprints (p < 0.000; part eta2 = 0.691; Δ% 15.8 ± 5.4) improved in both groups with greater increase following FunctionalHIIT. No baseline differences and no interaction effects occurred in performance of 6 min run, flexibility, push-ups, balance, and long jump. Classroom-based FunctionalHIIT sessions, performed 4 days per week during 4 weeks did not improve variables related to aerobic endurance performance but enhanced certain parameters of functional strength in schoolchildren. As time is limited in the educational system of schools, FunctionalHIIT during regular school classes could offer a new perspective for increasing functional strength in schoolchildren.