Effects of High-Intensity Interval Training on Mental Health Outcomes in Adolescents and Young Adults: A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis.
Given rising physical inactivity and mental health challenges, time-efficient interventions like High- Intensity Interval Training (HIIT) require rigorous evaluation. This systematic review and meta-analysis synthesized the evidence for HIIT's effects on mental health in adolescents and young adults.
Six electronic databases were systematically searched for Randomized Controlled Trials (RCTs) up to September 2025, comparing HIIT (defined as ≥85% HRmax) against a passive control group in non-clinical populations aged 11-29 years.
11 RCTs comprising 1,401 participants were included. The random-effects meta-analysis showed a modest reduction in perceived stress associated with HIIT (SMD = -0.29, 95% CI -0.59 to 0.004, p = .053), although the effect did not reach conventional statistical significance and substantial uncertainty remained. No statistically significant effects were observed for depressive symptoms, anxiety, or psychological wellbeing.
HIIT may be associated with modest reductions in perceived stress; however, the certainty of the evidence was low to very low across all outcomes. These findings should be interpreted with caution, and further high-quality research is needed to clarify the effects of HIIT on mental health outcomes.
Six electronic databases were systematically searched for Randomized Controlled Trials (RCTs) up to September 2025, comparing HIIT (defined as ≥85% HRmax) against a passive control group in non-clinical populations aged 11-29 years.
11 RCTs comprising 1,401 participants were included. The random-effects meta-analysis showed a modest reduction in perceived stress associated with HIIT (SMD = -0.29, 95% CI -0.59 to 0.004, p = .053), although the effect did not reach conventional statistical significance and substantial uncertainty remained. No statistically significant effects were observed for depressive symptoms, anxiety, or psychological wellbeing.
HIIT may be associated with modest reductions in perceived stress; however, the certainty of the evidence was low to very low across all outcomes. These findings should be interpreted with caution, and further high-quality research is needed to clarify the effects of HIIT on mental health outcomes.
Authors
Heres Heres, Pulgar Pulgar, Quintana-Cepedal Quintana-Cepedal, Fernandez-Del-Valle Fernandez-Del-Valle, Olmedillas Olmedillas
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