Effects of High-Intensity Interval Training on Fitness and Health in Youth With Physical Disabilities.

PURPOSE: To investigate the effects of high-intensity interval training (HIT) on physical fitness and cardiometabolic health in youth with physical disabilities.

METHODS

For this quasi-experimental study 70 participants were recruited from schools for special education and divided into runners and users of wheelchairs. HIT was performed for 8 weeks, twice a week, containing 30 seconds all-out exercises.

RESULTS

Exercise adherence was 84.5%. Following HIT, there were improvements in anaerobic performance, agility, aerobic performance, and systolic and diastolic blood pressure. There were no changes in peak oxygen uptake ((Equation is included in full-text article.)O2peak), arterial stiffness, body composition, lipid profile, and fasting glucose.

CONCLUSIONS

Both anaerobic and aerobic performance improved after HIT, with no changes in (Equation is included in full-text article.)O2peak. There were no effects on cardiometabolic health, except for a decrease in blood pressure.