Perceptual Responses and Health Parameters of 12 Weeks of Moderate- and High-Intensity Interval Exercise Intervention in Physically Inactive College Students

Both affective and enjoyment responses to continuous-type exercise are regulated by the exercise intensity, but the changes in these responses during interval-type exercise with different intensity is unclear.

The present study examined the effect of different work intensities on the perceptual and health parameters during interval exercise.

Twenty-four inactive college students (aged 20.8±1.2 years; PA levels=448±80 MET-min/week) were randomized to 12 weeks of HIIE (n=12; 6-10×1-min work-intervals at 90% of MAS) or MIIE (n=12; 6-10×1-min work-intervals at 60% of MAS), both for three days in a week (36 sessions). Perceptual responses (affective, enjoyment, and perceived exertion) observed in sessions 1, 18, and 36 were analyzed. Whereas health parameters (cardiorespiratory fitness and body composition) were measured before and after 12-week exercise intervention.

HIIE generated lower affective responses at work interval 4 and end work interval in session 1 and session 18 (all P<0.04, all ES>1.70). However, HIIE elicited greater FS at the end of the work interval during sessions 18 and 36 compared to session 1 (P<0.04, ES>1.55). Both groups generated greater post-enjoyment in session 36 compared to session 1 (all P<0.02, all ES>0.60). HIIE produced greater improvement in cardiorespiratory responses and body composition than MIIE following a 12-week intervention (P<0.04, all ES>60).

HIIE appears to be a time-efficient and viable strategy to facilitate future exercise adherence while producing health benefits among physically inactive college students when considering the impact of perceptual responses and health parameters.