Intensity and enjoyment of play-based HIIT in children and
                    adolescents with obesity

MortenBilde Simonsen; CharlotteNørkjær Eggertsen; JeppeBech Pedersen; Stine Christiansen; EsbenThyssen Vestergaard; Søren Hagstrøm; Ryan Godsk Larsen

doi:10.1055/a-2456-4054

International Journal of Sports Medicine, Table of Contents

Int J Sports Med 2025; 46(03): 207-216
DOI: 10.1055/a-2456-4054

Clinical Sciences

Intensity and enjoyment of play-based HIIT in children and adolescents with obesity

MortenBilde Simonsen

¹Department of Materials and Production, Aalborg University, Aalborg, Denmark (Ringgold ID: RIN1004)

²Center for Mathematical Modeling of Knee Osteoarthritis, Aalborg University, Aalborg, Denmark (Ringgold ID: RIN1004)

,

CharlotteNørkjær Eggertsen

³Department of Pediatrics and Adolescent Medicine, Aalborg University Hospital, Aalborg, Denmark (Ringgold ID: RIN53141)

⁴Steno Diabetes Center North Denmark, Aalborg University Hospital, Aalborg, Denmark (Ringgold ID: RIN53141)

⁵Department of Clinical Medicine, Aalborg University Hospital, Aalborg, Denmark (Ringgold ID: RIN53141)

,

JeppeBech Pedersen

⁶Department of Health Science and Technology, Aalborg University, Aalborg, Denmark (Ringgold ID: RIN1004)

,

Stine Christiansen

³Department of Pediatrics and Adolescent Medicine, Aalborg University Hospital, Aalborg, Denmark (Ringgold ID: RIN53141)

,

EsbenThyssen Vestergaard

⁷Department of Pediatrics, Aarhus University Hospital, Aarhus, Denmark (Ringgold ID: RIN11297)

⁸Steno Diabetes Center Aarhus, Aarhus University Hospital, Aarhus, Denmark (Ringgold ID: RIN11297)

,

Søren Hagstrøm

³Department of Pediatrics and Adolescent Medicine, Aalborg University Hospital, Aalborg, Denmark (Ringgold ID: RIN53141)

⁵Department of Clinical Medicine, Aalborg University Hospital, Aalborg, Denmark (Ringgold ID: RIN53141)

,

Ryan Godsk Larsen

⁹Health Science and Technology, Aalborg University, Aalborg, Denmark (Ringgold ID: RIN1004)

› Author Affiliations

Abstract

High-intensity interval training (HIIT) has been suggested as an effective treatment approach of childhood obesity. The objective of the present study was to examine intensity, enjoyment, and perceived exertion of a 4x4-minute play-based HIIT program for children and adolescents with obesity. 83 participants (42.2% girls, 12.3±1.5 years, 57.8% boys, 12.0±1.6 years) completed a 12-week intervention comprising three weekly sessions. After nine sessions (weeks 2, 6, and 11), participants rated perceived exertion (RPE) with a Borg scale and enjoyment of activities using the Physical Activity Enjoyment Scale (PACES). Heart rate (HR) was recorded to assess time spent in high- and moderate-intensity. Participants spent more time in high-intensity during strength-based (P=0.004) and running-based (P=0.007) activities compared to ball games, and more time was spent in moderate-intensity during ball games compared to strength-based (P=0.033) and running-based (P=0.028) activities. Overall, boys spent more time in moderate-intensity than girls (P=0.007). Participants rated RPE lower for ball games than for strength-based (P<0.001) and running-based (P<0.001) activities. Boys rated running-based activities more enjoyable than girls (P=0.021). Exercise intensity and RPE vary by activity in HIIT for children and adolescents with obesity. Ball games led to less high-intensity time and were seen as less exhausting. No differences in RPE or enjoyment were found over time.

Keywords

high-intensity interval training - heart rate - ball game - running - strength training - exercise

Full Text

References

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