Little but Intense: Using a HIIT-Based Strategy to Improve Mood and Cognitive Functioning in College Students

The impact of physical exercise on internalizing and externalizing problem behaviors among middle school students: correlation and regression prediction analysis

BACKGROUND

This study explored the impact of physical exercise on internalizing and externalizing problem behaviors among Chinese middle school students.

METHODS

A cross-sectional survey was conducted among 6368 middle school students from Sichuan, Guangdong, Shandong, Henan, and Jiangxi provinces, using the International Physical Activity Questionnaire (IPAQ), Achenbach Youth Self-Report (YSR), and Depression-Anxiety-Stress Scales (DASS). Latent class analysis, multiple linear regression, and Kendall's tau coefficient tests were employed to analyze the data.

RESULTS

Physical exercise significantly reduced externalizing problem behaviors, including impulsivity (β = 0.188, p < 0.001), hostility (β = 0.129, p < 0.001), and aggressiveness (β = 0.158, p < 0.001), and also alleviated depression (β = 0.087, p < 0.01). Latent class analysis revealed that students with high levels of exercise had significantly fewer externalizing behaviors compared to low-level exercisers (p < 0.001). High-intensity exercise had greater effects, particularly on impulsivity and hostility. Rural male students exhibited higher levels of aggressiveness and hostility, while urban female students benefited more from exercise interventions.

CONCLUSION

Physical exercise has a significant positive impact on reducing externalizing problem behaviors, especially impulsivity, hostility, and aggressiveness, among middle school students. However, its effects on internalizing behaviors are relatively limited. Intervention strategies should consider individual characteristics such as gender and location to maximize effectiveness.

A Cardiopulmonary Exercise Testing for Prescribing High-Intensity Interval Training Sessions with Elastic Resistance

This study aims to analyze the agreement of cardiopulmonary variables between a cardiopulmonary exercise test with elastic resistance (CPxEL) and high-intensity interval exercise with elastic resistance (EL-HIIE).

METHODS

Twenty-two physically independent participants were recruited. Visit one consisted of conducting a health survey and anthropometric assessment. On visit two, the participants performed CPxEL. After seven days, on visit three, the participants performed EL-HIIE. The CPxEL was carried out on a rubber mat demarcated by lines representing eight stages. The test consisted of alternating back and forth steps against elastic resistance. The increments were performed at a rate of one stage per minute, following a cadence controlled by a metronome calibrated by beats per minute (bpm). The EL-HIIE was performed at the stage corresponding to an intensity of ~85% VO2max, as determined by CPxEL. The EL-HIIE consisted of 10 × 1 min (work):1 min (passive rest), with a cadence of 200 bpm. Cardiopulmonary parameters, heart rate (HR), and oxygen consumption (VO2) were measured during exercise. Bland-Altman was applied to analyze the agreement between the HR and VO2 found in EL-HIIE and the values prescribed by CPxEL (~85-90% VO2max).

RESULTS

The HRpeak and VO2peak in the EL-HIIE showed good agreement with the VO2CPxEL and HRCPxEL values, showing an average difference of (-1.7 mL·kg-1·min-1) and (0.3 bpm).

CONCLUSIONS

The results of the present study demonstrate the agreement of cardiopulmonary variables between the CPxEL and the EL-HIIE. Therefore, for a more specific prescription of EL-HIIE intensity, CPxEL can be used.