High Intensity Interval Training Effects on Endurance and Stress in College Students in Student Populations
Year: 2026
Type: article
Study designs: Randomized Controlled Trial, Clinical Trial
Abstract: The contemporary collegiate environment is frequently characterized by elevated levels of psychological stress and pervasive sedentary behaviors, which collectively precipitate detrimental effects on the holistic health of university populations. This comprehensive academic investigation delineates the interrelated impacts of a structured High-Intensity Interval Training intervention on both the cardiorespiratory endurance and the psychological stress markers of healthy but inactive college students. Through a meticulously designed randomized controlled trial spanning eight weeks, participants were allocated into either a rigorous interval training cohort or a non-exercising control group. Cardiorespiratory endurance was quantified utilizing maximal oxygen consumption assessments, while psychological stress was evaluated through standardized psychometric inventories administered at baseline and post-intervention junctures. The analytical findings robustly indicate that the interval training regimen not only catalyzed statistically significant enhancements in aerobic capacity but also facilitated substantial attenuations in perceived stress levels compared to the control group. Furthermore, the correlation between physiological adaptations and psychological resilience suggests a multidimensional mechanistic pathway whereby cardiovascular efficiency modulates neuroendocrine stress responses. These results advocate for the integration of time-efficient, high-intensity exercise protocols within collegiate health promotion policies, offering a pragmatic countermeasure against the escalating crises of physical inactivity and psychological distress in higher education settings.
Authors: Aneta Zeman, Violet Hughes, Eunseo Kang
Institution: The University of Melbourne
Language: English
Topic: Physical Activity and Health
Subfield: Physiology
Field: Medicine
Domain: Health Sciences
Open Access status: diamond
OpenAlex ID: W7220164047