The effects of high intensity interval training and mental health among sedentary females

The study aimed to identify the effects of High-Intensity Interval Training (HIIT) and slow jogging on physical fitness (including cardiovascular endurance, muscular endurance, strength, flexibility, and body composition) and mental health (quality of life and self-esteem) among sedentary females. This study employed the randomised controlled trials design. A total of 30 participants from the Malaysian Statistical Training Institute (ILSM) were randomly assigned to either the HIIT group (n=15) or the slow jogging group (n=15). The intervention lasted six weeks, with both groups undergoing similar physical and mental health assessments, including fitness tests and mental health questionnaires, before and after the training. The results indicated that the HIIT group demonstrated significant improvements in physical fitness and mental health (p