Mindpreliminary · human data
HIIT's mood benefits look smaller than sold
Across 11 randomised trials in 1,401 non-clinical participants aged 11-29, high-intensity interval training produced only a modest and statistically non-significant drop in perceived stress (SMD -0.29, 95% CI -0.59 to 0.004, p = .053). There were no significant effects on depressive symptoms, anxiety or psychological wellbeing.
What it shows: Systematic review and meta-analysis of 11 RCTs (1,401 people aged 11-29, non-clinical) comparing HIIT with a passive control; the authors rated certainty of evidence low to very low for every outcome, so this is uncertainty rather than a demonstrated absence of benefit.Meta-analysis · Psicothema