E-Thesis 691 views 469 downloads
The evaluation of a school-based military style high-intensity interval training intervention on adolescent’s physical health, mental well-being and quality of life / William T.B. Eddolls
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DOI (Published version): 10.23889/Suthesis.48137
Abstract
Reversing the decline in adolescents’ mental health has been identified as a priority, especially considering its links to quality of life (QoL). Given that physical activity and exercise have been suggested as potential methods to ameliorate poor mental health and QoL, high-intensity interval train...
| Published: |
2018
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| Institution: | Swansea University |
| Degree level: | Doctoral |
| Degree name: | Ph.D |
| URI: | https://cronfa.swan.ac.uk/Record/cronfa48137 |
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| Abstract: |
Reversing the decline in adolescents’ mental health has been identified as a priority, especially considering its links to quality of life (QoL). Given that physical activity and exercise have been suggested as potential methods to ameliorate poor mental health and QoL, high-intensity interval training (HIIT) has been suggested as a time-effective means to improve conditions such as anxiety and depression, as well as QoL. Therefore, in collaboration with Commando Joe’s®, the aim of this thesis was to design, conduct and evaluate the impact of a HIIT intervention on adolescents’ mental health and QoL. Prior to the design element of this thesis, Study 1 investigated and confirmed a significant relationship between vigorous physical activity, the unstructured form of HIIT, physiological and psychological health and QoL. Subsequently, utilising amalgamated findings from previous formative research and the systematic review included within Chapter 3, a HIIT intervention was designed and conducted. Study 2 therefore examined the effect of the 6-month HIIT intervention on body mass index, physical activity, cardiorespiratory fitness, anxiety, depression and QoL in adolescents, however, no significant changes to mental well-being, physiological health or QoL were exhibited. Consequently, to identify areas for improvement for future research, Study 3 evaluated the HIIT intervention using thematically analysed focus-groups presented by pen profiles. Results indicated that HIIT was an enjoyable form of exercise for adolescents, however, to maximise participation, factors related to session timing, exercise activities, group composition, instructor and exercise progression and protocol should be accounted for. Overall, while HIIT did not improve mental health or QoL, no detrimental effects were noted. Advancing previous research, the present thesis provides support that HIIT is an enjoyable, feasible and time-efficient form of exercise, although further research is warranted to establish whether it can elicit improvements to mental health or QoL. |
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| Item Description: |
A selection of third party content is redacted or is partially redacted from this thesis. |
| Keywords: |
High-intensity interval training, high-intensity exercise, physical health, physical activity, cardiometabolic fitness, body composition, mental health, anxiety, depression, quality of life, children, adolescents |
| College: |
Faculty of Science and Engineering |