The Influence of a High-Intensity Interval Training (HIIT) Method on the Body Mass Index (BMI) of Male Adolescent Students at MA Al-Mukharom

Abstract

Adolescent obesity is a growing global health issue largely driven by modern, sedentary lifestyles and physical inactivity. This study aims to determine the effect of High Intensity Interval Training (HIIT) using the mountain climber exercise over a 6-week period on changes in Body Mass Index (BMI) among adolescents at MA Al-Mukharom, Kauman District, Ponorogo Regency. This study employed a Quasi-Experimental Design utilizing a One Group Pretest-Posttest Design. The sample consisted of 15 male students aged 16–18 years who were classified as overweight or mildly obese, selected through a purposive sampling technique. The intervention involved a HIIT mountain climber exercise performed 3 times per week for 6 weeks at an intensity of 80–85% HRmax. Data collection was conducted by measuring BMI before (pretest) and after (posttest) the intervention using a digital scale and a stadiometer. Data analysis for hypothesis testing was performed using the Paired Sample t-Test with the assistance of SPSS. The results indicated that the mean BMI value before the intervention was 26.513 kg/m². Following the six-week HIIT intervention, the mean BMI value decreased to 25.367 kg/m², demonstrating an average reduction of 1.146 kg/m². The Paired Sample t-Test yielded a significance value of 0.000 (p < 0.05), indicating that H0 is rejected and Ha is accepted. Based on these findings, it can be concluded that there is a significant effect of implementing High Intensity Interval Training (HIIT) using the mountain climber exercise on the reduction of Body Mass Index (BMI) among students at MA Al-Mukharom, Kauman District, Ponorogo Regency.