Impact of High-Intensity Interval Training on Body Composition and Depressive Symptoms in Adults under Home Confinement

Abstract

The home confinement derived from the COVID-19 pandemic has led to drastic changes in people’s habits. This situation has influenced their eating, rest, physical activity and socialization patterns, triggering changes in their mental stability. It was demonstrated that physical activity is beneficial for people’s physical and mental health. By its moderate volume and requiring little space or material, high-intensity interval training (HIIT) could prove to be a valid alternative in a situation of confinement. The aim of the present study was to observe the impact of an 8-week HIIT protocol on the body composition and the depressive symptoms of adults in strict home confinement. A total of 21 healthy adults, both male and female, (35.4 ± 5.6 years old; 70.50 ± 12.1 kg; 171 ± 10 cm) were divided into an experimental group (EG, n = 11) who carried out an 8-week Tabata protocol, based upon calisthenic exercises with their own weight in their homes, and a control group (CG, n = 10) who did not carry out any systematic physical activity over the same period. Following the intervention, the EG experienced a significant reduction in percentage (t = 3.86, d = 0.57, p < 0.05) and in kg (t = 4.62, d = 0.29, p < 0.05) of body fat mass (BFM) and body fat mass index (BFMI) (t = 4.61, d = 0.31, p < 0.05), as well as a reduction in depressive symptoms (t = 6.48, d = 1.3, p < 0.05). These results indicate that HIIT is a potential public health tool that could possibly be prescribed to the population in case of future situations of home confinement.

Effects of high‐intensity interval training on depressive and anxiety symptoms in healthy individuals: A systematic review and meta‐analysis of randomized clinical trials

“…Two studies were excluded from the meta-analysis due to insufficient data in their report. 41,44 The details of the selection process are shown in Figure 1.…”

“…Six samples were composed of young adults 25,37,42,[44][45][46] and two studies investigated adults. 41,43 Seven studies evaluated participants of both sexes 25,37,[41][42][43][44][45] whereas one study investigated only female participants. 46 The duration of intervention in these studies was 4 weeks, 42,44 6 weeks, 41,43,45,46 8 weeks, 25 and 9 weeks.…”

“…In terms of overall risk, there were concerns about the risk of bias in most studies due to the lack of sufficient detail in their reports. Seven studies had "some concerns" of bias, 25,37,41,42,[44][45][46] and only one study 43 was evaluated with a "low risk of bias." The justification for these evaluations is presented in Data S4.…”

Response and Adaptation of the Cardiac Autonomic System to Functional High-intensity Interval Training with Respiratory Facemasks: Impacts of the Training Period and Facemask Modality During a COVID-19 Pandemic

“…High-intensity interval training (HIIT) includes a frequent series of high-intensity tries followed by changing recovery times. One of its main benefits over other methods is that it gets even better results in a shorter session time (16).…”

“…Whole-body-based high-intensity interval training (HIIT) is an alternative strategy to consider improving the parameters used to measure fitness (17). HIIT can be an effective solution for people struggling to maintain the right level of physical activity (18) because it can promote significant adaptations in strength, hypertrophy, body composition, and the cardiorespiratory system (16). HIIT exercise also reduces anxiety, stress, and depression and increases resilience during periods of COVID-19 suppression (19).…”