High-Intensity Interval Training and Cardiometabolic Risk Factors in Children: A Meta-analysis

Abstract

CONTEXT High-intensity interval training (HIIT) has been widely used to prevent and treat cardiovascular risk factors in adolescents and adults; nevertheless, the available evidence in children is scarce. OBJECTIVE To synthesize evidence regarding the effectiveness of HIIT interventions on improving cardiovascular risk factors and cardiorespiratory fitness (CRF) in children from 5 to 12 years old. DATA SOURCES We searched 5 databases, Medline, Embase, SPORTDiscus, the Cochrane Library, and Web of Science. STUDY SELECTION Randomized controlled trials (RCTs) evaluating the effectiveness of HIIT interventions on cardiometabolic risk factors and CRF in children were included. DATA EXTRACTION Meta-analyses were conducted to determine the effect of HIIT on body composition, cardiometabolic and CRF variables in comparison with nontraining control groups. RESULTS A total of 11 RCTs and 512 participants were included. The results of the meta-analysis revealed a significant improvement in peak oxygen uptake (standardized mean difference [SMD] = 0.70, 95% confidence interval [CI] = 0.28 to 1.12; P = 0.001], in total cholesterol [SMD = −1.09, 95% CI = −1.88 to −0.30; P = 0.007], in low-density lipoprotein cholesterol [SMD = −1.28, 95% CI = −2.34 to −0.23; P = 0.017] and triglycerides [SMD = −0.71, 95% CI = −1.15 to −0.28; P = 0.001) levels. LIMITATIONS Because of the small number of available RCTs, it was not possible to conduct a subgroup analysis or a linear meta-regression analysis. CONCLUSIONS HIIT is a feasible and time-efficient approach for improving CRF, total cholesterol, low-density lipoprotein cholesterol, and triglycerides levels in children.