The Effects of High-intensity Interval Training on Mental Health and Inflammation

The present study investigated the effects of high-intensity interval exercise training and placebo-exercise on mental health and inflammation using a randomized control trial. The study also examined how anxiety symptoms prior to high-intensity interval training may influence improvements in fitness. Inactive young adults underwent nine weeks of either high-intensity interval training or their regular routine. Questionnaires, a blood draw and a maximal exercise test were conducted the week before and week after the intervention. It was hypothesized those who underwent high-intensity interval training would experience greater reductions in their depression, anxiety, and inflammation than those who were in the placebo control group. It was also hypothesized those who had high anxiety symptoms at the start of high-intensity interval training would experience smaller improvements in fitness than those who had low anxiety symptoms.

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Key information

Conditions

Anxiety Anxiety Disorders Behavior Behavioral Symptoms Depression Depressive Symptoms Inflammation Mental Disorders Pathologic Processes Pathological Conditions, Signs and Symptoms

Age range

18 year–30 year

Sex eligibility

All sexes

Study type

Interventional

Phase

Not applicable

Who can participate

Healthy volunteers accepted: Yes

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

Inclusion criteria

Full-time student at McMaster University
Speak, read and understand English

Exclusion criteria

Exercising for more than 150 minutes of moderate-to-vigorous physical activity per week

Treatment and study plan

Exercise

Behavioral

Placebo

Other

Primary outcomes

Change in mental illness symptoms (anxiety, depression) from baseline to post-intervention

Time frame: 11 weeks

The 21-items of the Beck Anxiety Inventory (Beck, Brown, Epstein & Steer, 1998) are summed to produce a total score from 0-63, with a higher score reflecting more severe anxiety symptoms. The 21-items of the Beck Depression Inventory (Beck, Steer, & Brown, 1996) are summed to produce a total score from 0-63, with a higher score reflecting more severe depressive symptoms.
Change in concentration of circulating proinflammatory cytokines (Interleukin-6, Interleukin-1 beta, Tumour necrosis factor alpha) from baseline to post-intervention

Time frame: 11 weeks

Picogram measured from venous blood sample
Change in cardiorespiratory fitness from baseline to post-intervention

Time frame: 11 weeks

VO2peak test (ml/min/kg)

Sponsors and collaborators

Lead sponsor

McMaster University

Other

Collaborators

Natural Sciences and Engineering Research Council, Canada

Registry information

Important dates

Study start: 2015
Primary completion: 2016
Study completion: 2016
First posted: Oct 8, 2019
Registry last updated: Oct 8, 2019

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.

Published trials that share one or more normalized conditions with this study.

Completed