Effect of High Intensity Interval Training in Weight Reduction of Junior High School Students

Abstract

INTRODUCTION

Wellness is an active process of making choices toward a healthy and fulfilling life. High-intensity interval training (HIIT) is a form of interval training of a cardiovascular exercise strategy alternating short periods of intense anaerobic exercise with less intense recovery periods. The Food and Nutrition Research Institute (FNRI, 2013) survey shows that among 10 to 19 years old, the prevalence of obese and overweight children increased by 2.5 points, from 5.8 percent in 2003 to 8.3 percent in 2013. The significant increase in physical inactivity of children who are obese is aggravating the problem. As a PE teacher, how do we address the problem of overweight and obese students?

METHODS

Using quasi-experimental design; the respondents were selected through stratified random sampling. The HIIT program started with warm up, HIIT exercises and finished with cool down exercises. It was two weeks of moderate intensity workout and two weeks of heavy intensity workout. The researcher, with the nutritionist and school nurse, assessed the BMI and food intake of the respondents. The different statistical treatments of data used were frequency, percent distribution, weighted arithmetic mean, cross tabulation, –Chi-square, and independent T-test.

RESULTS

There are more obese and overweight students who belong to the younger age group. Moreover, the experimental and comparison group interpreted to have both inadequate food intake and the body mass indices of student were decreased gradually at the end of each workout. There were significant differences in the effect of high-intensity interval training using moderate and heavy intensity workout. Finally, there was a highly significant difference in the effect of high-intensity interval training in a weight reduction of the students.

DISCUSSIONS

High-intensity interval training programs may be administered to any age group regardless of sex. Implementation of moderate intensity workout of the training program may be extended to come up for a more effective result. Heavy intensity workout strengthens components of physical fitness and HIIT program may be done regularly in school especially in addressing the problem of overweight and obese students. Motivation and attendance of the students must improve to persuade more of them in getting a fit body and healthy lifestyle. The student must learn the positive consequences of proper diet and physical fitness so they can make educated decisions about their current lifestyles and practices.