The Relative Importance of Age at Peak Height Velocity and Fat Mass Index in High-Intensity Interval Training Effect on Cardiorespiratory Fitness in Adolescents: A Randomized Controlled Trial

Abstract

Background: This study aimed to evaluate the role of biological age in the relationship between preintervention fat mass and cardiorespiratory fitness effects (CRF) after High-Intensity Interval Training (HIIT) intervention in adolescents. Methods: A total of 141 boys and girls (16 years) were examined as control (CG) and experimental (EG) groups that conducted a 10-week HIIT implemented in physical education. Measurements: body height, body weight, fat mass index (FMI), CRF (Harvard Step Test). Predicted age at peak height velocity (APHV) was calculated. Pathway analyses were conducted to identify the influences of the measured variables. Results: APHV harmed the level of ΔFI (fitness index) (β = −0.270; p = 0.035), while HIIT had a positive effect on changes in ΔFI (β = 0.246; p = 0.002). Sex affected the changes in CRF (β = 0.344; p = 0.011). Two models were designed respective to sex. The effect of the APHV on ΔFI in girls was close to significant (p = 0.053) but was non-significant in boys (p = 0.311). Changes in CRF in girls were positively and close to significance (p < 0.100) affected by FMIbaseline. Conclusion: HIIT is an effective way of exerting positive changes in CRF in adolescents, which is greater in boys than girls. APHV plays a role only in girls. The HIIT should be tailored to girls depending on their maturity status.

Keywords: APHV; adolescents; biological age; cardiorespiratory fitness; fat mass index; high-intensity interval training; puberty.

Figure 1

The path model, constructed for all participants (including boys and girls), shows the association between changes in FI and APHV, HIIT intervention, and sex as exogenous variables with the preintervention FMI. Abbreviations: APHV—age at peak height velocity, HIIT—HIIT groups (EG-1 coded, CG-0 coded), SEX—males (1 coded) and females (0 coded), FMI_baseline—fat mass index preintervention, ΔFI—changes in fitness index, *—statistically significant path.

Figure 2

Path models, constructed for males and females, show the association between changes in FI and APHV, HIIT intervention, and sex as exogenous variables with the preintervention FMI. Abbreviations: APHV—age at peak height velocity, HIIT—HIIT groups (EG−1 coded, CG-0 coded), FMI_baseline—fat mass index preintervention, ΔFI—changes in fitness index, *—statistically significant path, ⁺ p < 0.1 (very close to significance).