Related Experiment Video
Updated: Dec 7, 2025

A Real-World High-Intensity Interval Training Protocol for Cardiorespiratory Fitness Improvement
Published on: February 22, 2022
Working out the worries: A randomized controlled trial of high intensity interval training in generalized anxiety
Jens Plag1, Paul Schmidt-Hellinger2, Theresa Klippstein1
1Charité - Universitätsmedizin Berlin, Corporate Member of Freie Universität Berlin, Humboldt-Universität zu Berlin, and Berlin Institute of Health, Department of Psychiatry and Psychotherapy, Charité Campus Mitte, Berlin, Germany.
Background:
Aerobic exercise (AE) demonstrated an overall medium treatment effect in anxiety disorders (AD) but there is evidence for an "intensity-response" relationship. High intensity interval training (HIIT) was highly effective on a range of (mental) health parameters. However, so far no randomised-controlled trial (RCT) investigated the efficacy of HIIT in AD.
Methods:
33 patients with generalized anxiety disorder (GAD) were randomly assigned to 12-day HIIT or a training of lower intensity (LIT). Anxiety, comorbid depression, stress-related bodily symptoms and perceived control over anxiety related stimuli (PC) were assessed at baseline, post-training and 30 days after baseline by using the Penn State Worry Questionnaire (PSWQ), the Hamilton Inventories for Anxiety and Depression (Ham-A, Ham-D), the Screening for Somatoform Symptoms-7 (SOMS-7) and the Anxiety Control Questionnaire (ACQ-R).
Results:
Both interventions showed moderate or large effects on all clinical measures. However, effects for HIIT were generally about twice as high as for LIT. PC negatively correlated with GAD severity in the whole sample at baseline but an association of training-induced changes in PC and worrying were exclusively detectable in HIIT.
Conclusion:
HIIT was highly effective and fast acting in GAD. Therefore, it may complement first-line treatment approaches in this condition.
More Related Videos
Related Concept Videos
Generalized Anxiety Disorder
Social Anxiety Disorder
Anxiety: Overview
Individuals with anxiety often experience a range of physical and emotional symptoms, including sweating, trembling, tachycardia, and disturbances in sleep patterns. These symptoms vary in intensity and frequency but are generally disruptive and distressing.
Behavior Therapy
Exposure therapy is a cornerstone of behavioral treatment for anxiety disorders. It involves systematic exposure to feared stimuli, either in real...
Panic Disorder

