Key result
High intensity interval exercise consisting of four 4-minute intervals provided similar perceived exercise enjoyment as 45 minutes of continuous moderate intensity exercise.
Why the study?
High intensity interval sessions with intervals over 3 minutes may yield superior cardiorespiratory fitness benefits, but exercise enjoyment for these intervals had not yet been elucidated.
Does high intensity interval exercise provide similar exercise enjoyment compared to moderate intensity continuous exercise in young healthy adults?
RCT (n=7)
Open-label
Randomized crossover
No
Does high intensity interval exercise provide similar exercise enjoyment compared to moderate intensity continuous exercise in young healthy adults?
Effect estimate: r = -0.22
Absolute Event Rate: 95.5% vs 91%
p-value: p=0.36
High intensity 4-minute intervals provide similar exercise enjoyment as continuous moderate intensity exercise, suggesting comparable potential for exercise adherence.
Supports equivalent adherence potential for HIIT or MICT in young adults; extends psychological comparisons of exercise modalities.
Objective: High intensity interval exercise sessions with interval sets over 3 minutes may provide superior cardiorespiratory fitness benefits. To our knowledge, the exercise enjoyment of interval sets over 3 minutes is not yet elucidated. The aim of this study was to examine exercise enjoyment following one session with four intervals of 4 minutes high intensity exercise (HIIE) versus one session of 45 minutes moderate intensity continuous exercise (CE) in iso-caloric conditions using a randomized crossover design. Methods: Seven young healthy participants were recruited to undergo two different exercise sessions in a randomized order: 1) 4x4-minute intervals at >90% of maximum heart rate (HRmax) with 3 minutes of rest between interval sets, and 2) 45 minutes continuous exercise at 70% of HRmax. Peak oxygen uptake and HRmax were evaluated prior to the experiment. The participants reported their perceived exercise enjoyment using the 18-item Physical Activity Enjoyment Scale (PACES) questionnaire and their rating of perceived exertion (RPE). Results: There was no difference in the PACES score between the high intensity interval exercise session (median: 95.5 (inter-quartile range: 21.8)) and the moderate intensity continuous exercise session (91.0 (13.5), p=0.36, r=-0.22). The participants reported a higher RPE in the high intensity interval exercise session (16.5 (2.0)) compared with the continuous exercise session (9.0 (2.0), p=0.01, r=-0.88). Conclusion: Similar exercise enjoyment was reported following four high intensity intervals of 4 minutes compared with a moderate intensity continuous exercise session in this randomized crossover study with iso-caloric conditions. If enjoyment is a mediating factor for engaging in exercise, one should expect a similar probability of exercise adherence following high intensity 4-minute intervals and continuous moderate intensity exercise when prescribing aerobic exercise as preventive medicine.
No takes yet. Share an insight, caveat, or question.
Sagelv et al. (2019) conducted an RCT in Healthy (n=7). High intensity interval exercise vs. Continuous moderate intensity exercise (45 min at 70% HRmax) was evaluated on Perceived exercise enjoyment (PACES score) (r = -0.22, p=0.36). High intensity interval exercise consisting of four 4-minute intervals provided similar perceived exercise enjoyment as 45 minutes of continuous moderate intensity exercise.
Synapse has enriched 5 closely related papers on similar clinical questions. Consider them for comparative context: