Interval Training Improves Depressive Symptoms But Not Anxious Symptoms in Healthy Women

Abstract

Background: Despite important advances in the relationship between exercise and mood disorders, especially regarding moderate-intensity continuous training, there is a lack of information about the chronic effects of interval training protocols. We compared the effects of two different interval training protocols [sprint interval training (SIT) and high-intensity interval training (HIIT)] on depressive and anxious symptoms in healthy women. Methods: Thirty-six women were randomly allocated to HIIT (n = 18) or SIT (n = 18) groups and performed 24 training sessions over 8 weeks (thrice a week). Levels of state–trait anxiety and depressive symptoms were evaluated using State–Trait Anxiety Inventory and Beck Depression Inventory, respectively, before and after training intervention. Results: Two-way analysis of variance (ANOVA) did not reveal a significant effect of time (p > 0.05), group intervention (p > 0.05), or time × group interaction (p > 0.05) on state–trait anxiety; however, two-way ANOVA showed a significant effect of time on depressive symptoms (p = 0.025) but not group effect (p = 0.548) or time × group interaction (p = 0.373). Depressive symptoms of the participants in both HIIT and SIT groups were reduced from baseline, (ΔHIIT) −17.5 ± 27.9% and (ΔSIT) −28.6 ± 47.5%, respectively. Conclusion: HIIT and SIT groups similarly improved depressive symptoms but not anxiety levels in healthy and physically active young adult women.

Psychological Adaptations to High-Intensity Interval Training in Overweight and Obese Adults: A Topical Review

“…It is noteworthy that an 8-week HIIT intervention (thrice per week) elicited a significant reduction in the score of negative moods, tension, and depression in overweight/obese young men [ 93 ]. On the other hand, an 8-week HIIT program resulted in a meaningful decrease in depressive symptoms but not anxiety levels in healthy and physically active young adult women [ 95 ].…”

Is High-Intensity Interval Training Suitable to Promote Neuroplasticity and Cognitive Functions after Stroke?

“…Moreover, HIIT decreases depression in people with severe mental illness [ 156 ]. Depressive symptoms are reduced after an 8-week HIIT in healthy women [ 157 ]. Furthermore, HIIT is effective in alleviating cognitive decline in Alzheimer’s disease mice through improvements in hippocampal mitochondrial morphology together with the reduction in mitochondrial fragmentation and hippocampal β-Amyloid burden [ 158 ].…”

<p>Intensity of Physical Activity and Depressive Symptoms in College Students: Fitness Improvement Tactics in Youth (FITYou) Project</p>

“…14 A longitudinal study of 8 weeks showed high-intensity interval training and sprint interval training similarly improved depressive symptoms in 36 healthy women. 15 Besides, a 6-week intervention study showed both high-intensity interval training and moderate continuous training can reduce depressive symptoms in university students. 16 Moreover, a randomized controlled trial of 18 sessions indicated that high-intensity interval training can improve depression, activity states, cardiovascular functions compared to conventional moderate-intensity continuous training in 44 patients with myocardial infarction.…”