The effect of cooperative high-intensity interval training on creativity and emotional intelligence in secondary school: A randomised controlled trial

Abstract

Evidence suggests that moderate physical activity (PA) positively relates to creativity and emotional intelligence (EI) in adolescents. However, it is unknown whether cooperative PA (physical exercises in pairs or small groups to enhance motivation, self-efficacy, and pro-social behaviours), performed over less time but at higher intensity, could have similar effects within a school setting. The aim was to analyse the effect of cooperative high-intensity interval training (C-HIIT) on creativity and EI in adolescents aged 12–16 years, and whether improvement effects are different according to weekly PA level. A randomised controlled trial was conducted with a control group (CG, n = 94), which did static stretching, and an experimental group (EG, n = 90), which performed C-HIIT. Both groups performed the activity during 16 minutes at the beginning of physical education (PE) classes. Creativity was assessed with one factor, and EI through four factors (well-being, self-control, emotionality, and sociability). Age and body mass index (BMI) were used as confounders. Both were measured twice (baseline and after 12 weeks). The EG increased well-being and sociability factors after the C-HIIT programme (both p < 0.001). More specifically, inactive adolescents in the EG showed significant improvements in comparison to the CG in creativity, well-being, and sociability ( p = 0.028, p < 0.001, and p < 0.003, respectively). However, we did not find changes among active adolescents. A programme of C-HIIT in PE is a novel strategy to improve creativity and EI, especially in physically inactive adolescents. Starting PE classes with 16 minutes of C-HIIT could be recommended, independently of other activities planned for the session.

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“…In spite of the above, four out of five adolescents do not reach the minimum daily amount of PA recommended by international institutions (Cheung, 2017). Thus, there is an imperative need to find new motivants and efficient methods targeted to enhance the effects of PA in the shortest time possible (Ruiz-Ariza, Suárez-Manzano, López-Serrano, & Martínez-López, 2017b). The majority of current studies about PA and CP are focused on moderate-intensity PA, as well as including acute interventions and a wide variety of different exercises and durations of the sessions, from 4 to 55 minutes (Budde, Voelcker-Rehage, Pietraßyk-Kendziorra, Ribeiro, & Tidow, 2008;Cooper, Bandelow, Nute, Morris, & Nevill, 2012).…”

“…The majority of current studies about PA and CP are focused on moderate-intensity PA, as well as including acute interventions and a wide variety of different exercises and durations of the sessions, from 4 to 55 minutes (Budde, Voelcker-Rehage, Pietraßyk-Kendziorra, Ribeiro, & Tidow, 2008;Cooper, Bandelow, Nute, Morris, & Nevill, 2012). However, little evidence exists on the most favourable intensity, activity type, and long-term duration for improving CP (Ardoy et al, 2014;Costigan, Eather, Plotnikoff, Hillman, & Lubans, 2016;Ruiz-Ariza et al, 2017b;Zervas, Danis, & Klissouras, 1991).…”

“…Based on the above, recently a new didactic method has been proposed to enhance the emotional and creative potential of PE classes (Ruiz-Ariza et al, 2017b). This method adds individualized and centralized monitoring to control heart rate at high intensity, and a cooperative dynamic within the HIIT programme, termed monitored cooperative high-intensity interval training [monitored C-HIIT] (Ruiz-Ariza et al, 2017b).…”

“…Based on the above, recently a new didactic method has been proposed to enhance the emotional and creative potential of PE classes (Ruiz-Ariza et al, 2017b). This method adds individualized and centralized monitoring to control heart rate at high intensity, and a cooperative dynamic within the HIIT programme, termed monitored cooperative high-intensity interval training [monitored C-HIIT] (Ruiz-Ariza et al, 2017b). PA controlled and motivated with groupal heart rate monitoring, and performed in a cooperative way -physical exercises in pairs or in small groups -has been shown to provide increases in motivation, promotion of continued play and playful entertainment, group decision-making in cooperative exercises, and increases in self-efficacy and pro-social behaviors ( Ruiz-Ariza et al, 2017b).…”

“…This method adds individualized and centralized monitoring to control heart rate at high intensity, and a cooperative dynamic within the HIIT programme, termed monitored cooperative high-intensity interval training [monitored C-HIIT] (Ruiz-Ariza et al, 2017b). PA controlled and motivated with groupal heart rate monitoring, and performed in a cooperative way -physical exercises in pairs or in small groups -has been shown to provide increases in motivation, promotion of continued play and playful entertainment, group decision-making in cooperative exercises, and increases in self-efficacy and pro-social behaviors ( Ruiz-Ariza et al, 2017b). In fact, according the the American College of Sports Medicine, HIIT, group training and wearable technology as pulsomtry, are forecast as the top 3 fitness trends for 2018 (Thompson, 2017).…”