Effects of a high intensity interval training program on cardiometabolic risk factors in adolescents: A systematic review

Abstract

High-intensity interval training (HIIT) has known beneficial effects on the health of adults, but there is insufficient evidence on its effectiveness in adolescents. Objective: To evaluate the available evidence to determine the effects of HIIT training on cardiometabolic risk factors in adolescents. Method: PubMed, ScienceDirect and Google Scholar were searched. The eligibility criteria were established based on the acronym PICOS: (P) adolescents mostly between 10 and 19 years old, (I) high intensity interval training protocol, (C) control group or other training protocol, (O) effect of high intensity interval training on cardiometabolic risk factors, (S) any experimental study design, published from 2015 to September 2020 in English or Spanish. Results: 95 articles were identified, of which only 10 met the inclusion criteria. Improvements in cardiometabolic risk factors were observed.Conclusion: HIIT programs with multicomponent characteristics and with adequate nutritional control generate a decrease in cardiometabolic risk factors in adolescents, from the fifth week.