High-intensity interval training: key data needed to bridge the gap from laboratory to public health policy
Abstract
The World Health Organization and a number of national bodies recommend adults undertake at least 150 min/week of moderate intensity physical activity, or 75 min/week of vigorous intensity physical activity. However, a large proportion of the population do not achieve these targets. Lack of time is often cited as a primary barrier,1 and many researchers have suggested that high-intensity interval training (HIIT), with interval durations from 10 s to 4 min and intensities ranging from 85% maximal heart rate (HRmax) to ‘all out’ efforts, may provide a time-efficient solution to improve public health.2 A wealth of evidence has demonstrated that HIIT can elicit a range of health benefits such as improved cardiorespiratory fitness, insulin sensitivity and vascular function, with these benefits being of at least a similar magnitude to those seen with standard moderate intensity physical activity interventions.3 ,4 These data are clear and convincing. However, they largely emanate from …
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Although high intensity training has now been incorporated in most public health recommendations, the long term effect, feasibility, and safety have recently been questioned.
“Although high intensity training, which HIIT represents, has now been incorporated in most public health recommendations, the long term effect, feasibility, and safety have recently been questioned.26 42 43”
From Effect of exercise training for five years on all cause mortality in older adults—the Generation 100 study: randomised controlled trial (2020) · cites this paper as [42]
The paper questions HIIT’s long-term evidence, real-world feasibility, and safety (Four key studies needed, pp. 3–5). It says the WHO and a number of national bodies recommend vigorous-intensity activity (p. 2), but does not establish that *most* recommendations incorporate high-intensity training. It also says more evidence is needed to determine whether HIIT merits a place in public-health recommendations (p. 5). (LLM, conf=0.88)
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Cites
Correlates of adults??? participation in physical activity: review and update
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- Authors
- Gray, S. R., Ferguson, C., Birch, K., Forrest, L. J., & Gill, J. M. R.
- Affiliations
- University of Glasgow (GB)
- University of Leeds (GB)
- University of the West of Scotland (GB)
- Corresponding author
- Gray, Stuart R
- Venue
- British Journal of Sports Medicine
- Publisher
- BMJ
- Published
- 2016-03-18
- Volume
- 50
- Issue
- 20
- Pages
- 1231-1232
- ISSN
- 0306-3674 (ISSN-L)
- 1473-0480
- OpenAlex
- W2290714395
- Cited by
- 76
- References
- 7
- Citations by year
- 2026: 5 · 2025: 5 · 2024: 10 · 2023: 14 · 2022: 13 · 2021: 6 · 2020: 6 · 2019: 2 · 2018: 7 · 2017: 8
- Type
- journal article
- Language
- en
- Open access
- closed
- Locations
- British Journal of Sports Medicine (publishedVersion)
- PubMed (publishedVersion)
- White Rose Research Online (University of Leeds, The University of Sheffield, University of York) (acceptedVersion)
- ENLIGHTEN (Jurnal Bimbingan dan Konseling Islam) (acceptedVersion)
- HighWire Press Open Archive (submittedVersion)
- Topics
- Health Sciences › Medicine › Complementary and alternative medicine › Cardiovascular and exercise physiology
- Health Sciences › Medicine › Physiology › Physical Activity and Health
- Health Sciences › Medicine › Orthopedics and Sports Medicine › Sports Performance and Training
- Keywords
- high-intensity interval training, public health policy, evidence translation, physical activity guidelines, exercise prescription
- MeSH terms
- High-Intensity Interval Training, Health Policy, Health Promotion, Humans, Physical Fitness, Evidence-Based Medicine
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