Psycho-physiological responses to a 4-month high-intensity interval training-centered multidisciplinary weight-loss intervention in adolescents with obesity

Abstract

Background: To evaluate the impact of 4 months of a high-intensity interval training (HIIT)-centered weight-management intervention on health-related quality of life (HR-QOL), health perception (HP) and physical self-perception (PSP) in adolescents with obesity. Methods: Fifty-six adolescents with obesity (28 girls; mean body mass index [BMI], 35±4.89 kg/m2; z-BMI, 2.3±0.3; 11-17 years) followed a multidisciplinary weight-management intervention composed of nutritional counseling, HIIT program, and health-related therapeutic education. Anthropometric parameters, body composition (dual X-ray absorptiometry), and maximal aerobic capacities (maximal oxygen consumption [VO2peak]) were assessed, and self-reported questionnaires were used to assess HR-QOL (36-item short form survey), HP and PSP at baseline (T0) and post-intervention (T1). Results: Body weight (92.6±18.9 to 85.9±16.2 kg), BMI (35.0±4.8 to 32.1±4.5 kg/m2) z-BMI (2.3±0.3 to 2.1±0.3) and fat mass percentage (36.0%±9.1% to 30.4%±7.8%) were significantly decreased (P< 0.001) between T0 and T1. There was a tendency for VO2peak to increase from 26.35±5.81 mL/kg/min at T0 to 28.79±6.59 mL/kg/min at T1 (P= 0.06). Physical functioning (P= 0.002), physical limitation (P= 0.048), general health (P< 0.001) and bodily pain (P= 0.030) were improved at T1. A significant improvement occurred in dimensions of HP such as physical condition (P= 0.001), adiposity (P< 0.001), alimentation (P< 0.001), general health (P= 0.038), and perceived general health (P= 0.001). In addition, there was an improvement in items of PSP such as self-perceived coordination (P= 0.022), endurance (P= 0.001) and activity (P= 0.001), global self-concept (P= 0.015), and appearance (P= 0.016). Physical but not mental HR-QOL domains, HP and PSP were associated with weight reduction. Conclusion: While HIIT favors improved HR-QOL, HP status and PSP in adolescents with obesity, physical but not mental HR-QOL, HP and PSP were associated with weight reduction.