The effect of high-intensity interval training on health-related outcomes in obese adolescents: a systematic review and meta-analysis

ObjectiveThe present research was to evaluate the impacts of high-intensity interval training (HIIT) intervention on health-related outcomes in obese adolescents, adopting a systematic review and meta-analysis.MethodologyThe study was performed by searching four databases (PubMed, Web of Science, Em...

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Main Authors: Gang Xu, Qiang Li, Qian Yang, Hongli Yu
Format: Article
Language:English
Published: Frontiers Media S.A. 2025-08-01
Series:Frontiers in Physiology
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Online Access:https://www.frontiersin.org/articles/10.3389/fphys.2025.1609818/full
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author Gang Xu
Gang Xu
Qiang Li
Qian Yang
Hongli Yu
author_facet Gang Xu
Gang Xu
Qiang Li
Qian Yang
Hongli Yu
author_sort Gang Xu
collection DOAJ
description ObjectiveThe present research was to evaluate the impacts of high-intensity interval training (HIIT) intervention on health-related outcomes in obese adolescents, adopting a systematic review and meta-analysis.MethodologyThe study was performed by searching four databases (PubMed, Web of Science, Embase, and Cochrane Library) to determine randomized controlled trials (RCTs) exploring the impacts of HIIT to physiological parameters among obese adolescents. The sequential execution of a meta-analyses, subgroup analyses, and publication bias analyses was accomplished utilizing the software package RevMan version 5.4 and Stata 18.ResultsThere were 11 articles included. This research demonstrated a significant impact on body fat percentage (BFP) with d = −0.82, P < 0.05; VO2peak with d = 2.99, P < 0.05; high density lipoprotein (HDL) with I2 = 22.8%, SMD = 0.47, 95% CI [0.06 to 0.88]; systolic blood pressure (SBP) with I2 = 0.3%, SMD = −0.93, 95% CI [−1.25 to −0.62]. However, there was lacking of significance of body mass index (BMI) d = −0.21, P = 0. The subgroup analyses revealed that HIIT interventions involving with twice per week, 30–60 min per session, 1–30 min per session were the most effective in improving BMI, BFP and VO2peak.ConclusionHIIT intervention, its impact on BMI is minimal, HIIT significantly reduces BFP, enhances VO2peak, increases HDL levels, and lowers SBP. HIIT effectively enhances body composition and cardiovascular health in overweight adolescents. Future studies should aim to refine HIIT protocols and explore its long-term benefits to establish comprehensive exercise recommendations for this population.Systematic Review Registrationidentifier CRD42025630480.
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spelling doaj-art-a78f131737ab4a48bda93b04f4bb81dd2025-08-20T04:03:26ZengFrontiers Media S.A.Frontiers in Physiology1664-042X2025-08-011610.3389/fphys.2025.16098181609818The effect of high-intensity interval training on health-related outcomes in obese adolescents: a systematic review and meta-analysisGang Xu0Gang Xu1Qiang Li2Qian Yang3Hongli Yu4School of Physical Education, Sichuan University of Science and Engineering, Zigong, ChinaDepartment of Kinesiology, University of Georgia, Athens, GA, United StatesSchool of Physical Education, Shangrao Normal University, Shangrao, ChinaDepartment of Library, Sichuan University of Science and Engineering, Zigong, ChinaSchool of Physical Education, Sichuan University of Science and Engineering, Zigong, ChinaObjectiveThe present research was to evaluate the impacts of high-intensity interval training (HIIT) intervention on health-related outcomes in obese adolescents, adopting a systematic review and meta-analysis.MethodologyThe study was performed by searching four databases (PubMed, Web of Science, Embase, and Cochrane Library) to determine randomized controlled trials (RCTs) exploring the impacts of HIIT to physiological parameters among obese adolescents. The sequential execution of a meta-analyses, subgroup analyses, and publication bias analyses was accomplished utilizing the software package RevMan version 5.4 and Stata 18.ResultsThere were 11 articles included. This research demonstrated a significant impact on body fat percentage (BFP) with d = −0.82, P < 0.05; VO2peak with d = 2.99, P < 0.05; high density lipoprotein (HDL) with I2 = 22.8%, SMD = 0.47, 95% CI [0.06 to 0.88]; systolic blood pressure (SBP) with I2 = 0.3%, SMD = −0.93, 95% CI [−1.25 to −0.62]. However, there was lacking of significance of body mass index (BMI) d = −0.21, P = 0. The subgroup analyses revealed that HIIT interventions involving with twice per week, 30–60 min per session, 1–30 min per session were the most effective in improving BMI, BFP and VO2peak.ConclusionHIIT intervention, its impact on BMI is minimal, HIIT significantly reduces BFP, enhances VO2peak, increases HDL levels, and lowers SBP. HIIT effectively enhances body composition and cardiovascular health in overweight adolescents. Future studies should aim to refine HIIT protocols and explore its long-term benefits to establish comprehensive exercise recommendations for this population.Systematic Review Registrationidentifier CRD42025630480.https://www.frontiersin.org/articles/10.3389/fphys.2025.1609818/fullhigh-intensity interval traininghealth-related outcomesobese adolescentssystematic reviewmeta-analysis
spellingShingle Gang Xu
Gang Xu
Qiang Li
Qian Yang
Hongli Yu
The effect of high-intensity interval training on health-related outcomes in obese adolescents: a systematic review and meta-analysis
Frontiers in Physiology
high-intensity interval training
health-related outcomes
obese adolescents
systematic review
meta-analysis
title The effect of high-intensity interval training on health-related outcomes in obese adolescents: a systematic review and meta-analysis
title_full The effect of high-intensity interval training on health-related outcomes in obese adolescents: a systematic review and meta-analysis
title_fullStr The effect of high-intensity interval training on health-related outcomes in obese adolescents: a systematic review and meta-analysis
title_full_unstemmed The effect of high-intensity interval training on health-related outcomes in obese adolescents: a systematic review and meta-analysis
title_short The effect of high-intensity interval training on health-related outcomes in obese adolescents: a systematic review and meta-analysis
title_sort effect of high intensity interval training on health related outcomes in obese adolescents a systematic review and meta analysis
topic high-intensity interval training
health-related outcomes
obese adolescents
systematic review
meta-analysis
url https://www.frontiersin.org/articles/10.3389/fphys.2025.1609818/full
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