Effect of Moderate Intensity-Interval Training on Cardiovascular Variables of Secondary School Female Adolescents in Pankshin Local Government Area of Plateau State, Nigeria.

The purpose of this study was to assess the effect of moderate intensity-interval training on cardiovascular variables of female adolescents in secondary schools in Pankshin Local Government Area, Plateau State, Nigeria. To achieve the purpose of the study, research questions and null hypotheses were formulated to guide the study. A repeated measure experimental design was used for the study that served as the experimental group. A purposive sampling technique was used to select forty (40) participants within the age range of 13–15 years old. The training intensity was maintained between 45% and 50% HRR on the selected cardiovascular variable. The training program consists of two sessions, four sets of four-minute run-walk sessions, and four sets of four-minute rest or relief interval repetitions within the sets for a total of forty-two minutes a session per week, and also on alternate days for a duration of twelve weeks. The participants were trained at 45% HRR at the baseline of the 3rd week of training and at 50% HRR from the 6th, 9th, and 12th weeks of training and at 65% HRR max from the 7th to the 9th weeks of the training period. The variable being measured was percent body fat. Descriptive statistics of mean, standard deviation, and standard error were used to answer the research questions, while repeated measure analysis of variance (ANOVA) was used to test the null hypothesis at the 0.05 level of significance. Findings from the study revealed that the level of percent body fat obtained before the experiment was significantly different from the level obtained in the first week and second week of training (p < 0.05) of female secondary school adolescents involved in the study. Based on the findings, it was concluded that moderate-intensity interval training significantly increased percent body fat among female adolescents in secondary schools. It was recommended that exercise scientists should ensure that regular workshops and seminars be organised for physical educators and coaches in secondary schools on a concise programme of moderate intensity-interval training, which is aerobic in nature, to reduce accumulation of body fat, metabolic rate syndrome, and cardiovascular health challenges among adolescents in secondary schools to maintain sound health and fitness levels for vigorous physical activities.