NCT07397702

Effects of HIIT and MICT Training on Cardiorespiratory Fitness, Testosterone/Cortisol Ratio, and Mental Health in Young Adults

Effects of HIIT and MICT Training on Cardiorespiratory Fitness, Testosterone/Cortisol Ratio, and Mental Health in Young Adults: an 8-week Randomized Clinical Trial

• Status: Not Yet Recruiting
• Phase: N/A
• Study type: Interventional
• Enrollment: 76 (estimated)
• Sponsor: Universidad de Colima · Academic / Other
• Sex: All
• Age: 18 Years – 21 Years
• Healthy volunteers: Accepted

Summary

This study will use a randomized, double-blind clinical trial to evaluate the effects of eight-week HIIT and MICT exercise programs on cardiorespiratory fitness, the testosterone/cortisol ratio, and mental health in 68 healthy, moderately active young adults aged 18 to 21. Participants will be assigned to parallel groups based on their sex and training type (HIIT men, HIIT women, MICT men, MICT women). The key metrics will be measured both before and after the intervention period to assess the impact of the different training regimens.

Detailed description

This randomized, double-blind clinical trial will investigate the effects of high-intensity interval training (HIIT) versus moderate-intensity continuous training (MICT) on cardiorespiratory fitness and symptoms of anxiety and depression in high school students. The study will recruit 68 male and female students, aged 15-19, who are moderately inactive. Participants will be randomized into HIIT or MICT groups, stratified by gender. The 8-week intervention consists of three weekly sessions: HIIT involves 10x1-minute high-intensity intervals, while MICT consists of 30 minutes of continuous running. Cardiorespiratory fitness (measured via the Course Navette test to estimate VO₂max) and mental health symptoms (using Beck inventories) will be assessed before and after the intervention. The primary hypothesis is that HIIT will yield greater improvements in VO₂max and greater reductions in anxiety and depression symptoms compared to MICT. Statistical analysis will employ ANOVA and related tests to evaluate changes within and between groups, with a significance level set at p\<0.05. The study aims to provide evidence for designing personalized exercise programs that optimize both physical and mental health in adolescents.

Conditions

• Exercise

Interventions

Type	Name	Description
OTHER	High-intensity interval training	The intervention involves physical exercise with the aim of observing any changes that may occur in mental health and hormonal parameters. However, the magnitude of these effects and the type of exercise that is most effective in reducing symptoms of anxiety and depression are still unknown.
OTHER	Moderate-intensity continuous training	The intervention involves physical exercise with the aim of observing any changes that may occur in mental health and hormonal parameters. However, the magnitude of these effects and the type of exercise that is most effective in reducing symptoms of anxiety and depression are still unknown.

Timeline

• Start date: 2026-05-25
• Primary completion: 2026-07-24
• Completion: 2026-08-07
• First posted: 2026-02-09
• Last updated: 2026-02-09