Feel the burn to learn, hair stress study shows

HIIT the books: Professor David Lubans, sport scientist at the University of Newcastle, hopes compulsory fitness will be embedded into the senior curriculum.

THE argument for incorporating compulsory fitness into the senior school curriculum has been bolstered by new Hunter research that shows short, intense exercise sessions can help conquer HSC stress.

Research out of the University of Newcastle has shown regular bouts of short, high-intensity exercise "significantly" reduce levels of the stress hormone - cortisol - in the hair of senior school students. But it also benefited memory, overall wellbeing and fitness.

Schools from across the Hunter and Sydney were involved in the randomised controlled trial which targeted 670 senior students from a diverse range of socio-economic backgrounds.

Researchers hope the findings, published in the British Journal of Sports Medicine, will inspire curriculum changes to incorporate High-Intensity Interval Training (HIIT) sessions.

"What we're seeing across the globe is this pandemic of poor mental health as adolescents progress through school, and it seems to really peak toward the end of high school," Professor David Lubans said. "It corresponds with the Higher School Certificate and all the stresses young people are exposed to at that time, and while they are experiencing all these psychosocial stresses, we are also seeing a change in their behaviour.

Students from Chatswood High School participated in the study into the effect of HIIT exercise on stress, cognitive function and wellbeing.

"They are dropping out of organised sport and there is no compulsory physical activity or physical education in schools, so they are almost at their absolute lowest when it comes to doing the things that help support their mental health."

Professor Lubans said HIIT involved repeated short bouts of intense exercise followed by short periods of rest.

"All physical activity is going to have good effects, it's just that high intensity provides the best bang for buck," he said. "You get the greatest benefits for the smallest amount of time, and as a result, there are really important physical, psychological and cognitive benefits that kids are going to experience.

"We've created a range of different HIIT styles like hip hop HIIT, sport HIIT, and brain HIIT to make it engaging and fun to keep kids motivated over time."