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Completed

NCT Number: NCT07256847

Effect of 6-Week High Intensity Interval Training on VO2max, Physical Competence and Sleep Quality in Sedentary Male University Students

This study aims to investigate the effects of a 6-week high-intensity interval training (HIIT) intervention on physical fitness, cardiorespiratory capacity (VO2max), and sleep quality among sedentary male college students. Through a randomized controlled trial, we seek to examine whether HIIT, as a time-efficient exercise modality, can effectively improve these health-related outcomes in young adults who maintain predominantly sedentary lifestyles. This research will provide evidence-based insights into the effectiveness of HIIT as a potential intervention strategy to address the physical and physiological consequences of prolonged sitting behavior among university students.

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Key information

Conditions

Sedentary Students University Students

Age range

18 year and older

Sex eligibility

Male

Study type

Interventional

Phase

Not applicable

Primary location

SSPE, The Chinese University of Hong Kong

Hong Kong, None Selected

Who can participate

Healthy volunteers accepted: Yes

Only the study team can determine whether someone qualifies for participation.

Inclusion criteria

  • university students;
  • daily sedentary time > 8 hours;
  • healthy individuals who are capable of physical tests or HIIT;
  • no regular exercise habits;
  • can understand English or Chinese.

Exclusion criteria

  • self-reported history of neurological, psychiatric, or medical diseases;
  • current intake of medications and/or recreational drugs that could affect the central nervous system and/or the ability to learn.

Treatment and study plan

High Intensity Interval Training

Other

A 6-week HIIT exercise plan (running). Duration: Each session consists of 10 x 1-minute high-intensity bouts interspersed with 10 x 1-minute recovery periods. Adding the 3-minute warmup and 3-minute cool-down, each session totals approximately 26 minutes. This protocol is followed for 6 weeks.

Intensity: High-intensity bouts are performed at 80-90% of HRmax (RPE 15-18). Recovery periods are at 40-50% of HRmax (RPE 11-13). Warm-up and cool-down are at 50% HRmax (RPE 11-13).

Modality: Running, jogging, or brisk walking, either on a treadmill or outdoors. Supervision: The first three sessions are supervised in a laboratory setting. Subsequent sessions are unsupervised and performed at home with heart rate monitoring and remote data tracking via Polar Flow for Coach.

Primary outcomes

  1. VO2max

    Time frame: Baseline (pre-intervention) and immediately after 6-week intervention completion

    Progressive Aerobic Cardiovascular Endurance Run 20-m (measured in laps)

  2. Sleep Quality

    Time frame: Baseline (pre-intervention) and immediately after 6-week intervention completion

    Pittsburgh Sleep Quality Index (PSQI) (scored from 0 to 21, with higher scores indicating worse sleep quality)

  3. Handgrip

    Time frame: Baseline (pre-intervention) and immediately after 6-week intervention completion

    Handgrip dynamometer (measured in kilograms)

  4. Core strength

    Time frame: Baseline (pre-intervention) and immediately after 6-week intervention completion

    Plank test (measured in second)

  5. Balance

    Time frame: Baseline (pre-intervention) and immediately after 6-week intervention completion

    Unipedal stance test (measured in second)

  6. Agility

    Time frame: Baseline (pre-intervention) and immediately after 6-week intervention completion

    Agility T-test (measured in second)

  7. Flexibility

    Time frame: Baseline (pre-intervention) and immediately after 6-week intervention completion

    Sit and Reach Test

  8. Body composition (measured in centimeter)

    Time frame: Baseline (pre-intervention) and immediately after 6-week intervention completion

    Bioelectrical impedance analysis (BIA) device (MC-780MA)

Other outcomes

  1. Carbohydrate Intake

    Time frame: Baseline (pre-intervention) and immediately after 6-week intervention completion

    Daily carbohydrate consumption measured by validated 3-day food diary (measured in grams/day)

  2. Fat Intake

    Time frame: Baseline (pre-intervention) and immediately after 6-week intervention completion

    Daily fat consumption measured by a validated 3-day food diary (measured in grams/day)

  3. Protein Intake

    Time frame: Baseline (pre-intervention) and immediately after 6-week intervention completion

    Daily protein consumption measured by a validated 3-day food diary (measured in grams/day)

  4. Physical Activity Level

    Time frame: Baseline (pre-intervention) and immediately after 6-week intervention completion

    International Physical Activity Questionnaire (IPAQ) long form (measured in MET-minutes/week, range: 0 to no upper limit, with higher scores indicating higher levels of physical activity)

Sponsors and collaborators

Lead sponsor

Ma Ruisi

Other

Registry information

Important dates

Study start
2024
Primary completion
2024
Study completion
2025
First posted
Dec 1, 2025
Registry last updated
Dec 1, 2025

OpenTrials presents study information sourced from ClinicalTrials.gov. The official registry record should be consulted for the latest information.

View the official ClinicalTrials.gov record (opens in a new tab)

This listing is for discovery and informational purposes only. It is not medical advice, does not guarantee that a study is recruiting, and does not determine eligibility. Contact the study team and a qualified healthcare professional when considering participation.

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