Evaluating the potential efficacy of high-intensity interval training within year 7 physical education classes: a non-randomised comparison trial

Although High-Intensity Interval Training (HIIT) is perceived as an efficient way to meet health outcomes in Physical Education (PE), the effect HIIT has on students'motivation and the learning environment is unknown. This study compared two PE interventions lasting eight weeks and assessed the potential efficacy of embedding HIIT into a PE program to meet concurrent health and educative outcomes. Participants (N =166; mean age = 12.9 years) were assigned to one of two study conditions according to intact groupings: HIIT program (n = 84) and Dynamic Physical Education (DPE) program (n =82). Assessments were conducted at baseline and post-intervention. Intervention effects for each variable were examined using measures of central tendency, analysis of variance and effect sizes. Post-intervention analysis demonstrated increases in health indices of both groups and comparing the effect size of each intervention revealed no difference. The DPE group exhibited moderate intervention effects for motivation towards PE, while the mean value of the HIIT group did not change. Systematic direct observation revealed large intervention effects for the provision of feedback within the HIIT intervention when compared to the DPE intervention (d= 3.67). This study demonstrates HIIT interventions may elicit positive changes to PE settings, allowing health and educative outcomes to be achieved concurrently.