Dose-effect of HIIT on Cardiovascular Health of Children

An adequate physical activity level has important effects on cardiovascular health of children. However, the scientific literature suggests that few children meet the physical activity recommendations to obtain these cardiovascular benefits which may have immediate and long term consequences in public health. High intensity interval training (HIIT) has emerged as an effective strategy for improving physical and mental health in children. To note that HIIT can be completed in a shorter period of time and its results in physical health seem to be equivalent to those obtained in longer sessions of traditional aerobic training. However, there is no information about the dose of HIIT needed to obtain significant effects on cardiovascular health of children. The adoption of healthy dietary habits is also important in the prevention of obesity and cardiovascular diseases. School-based programs including physical activity and nutritional education have been recommended as important components of programs aiming to prevent obesity and cardiovascular diseases.