Psychosocial and emotional adaptations under a high-intensity interval training program and moderate alcohol...

This study aimed to investigate the effects of High-Intensity Interval Training (HIIT) combined with moderate alcohol consumption on mental well-being and mood in healthy young adults.

Seventy-four participants from Spain (18-40 years; 46 % female) were assigned to a control group or a HIIT group (2 days/week) with either alcoholic or non-alcoholic beverages (330 ml of the respective beverage at lunch and 330 ml at dinner for men, and 330 ml at dinner for women, from Monday to Friday). The HIIT-Alcohol group consumed alcoholic beer or vodka-sparkling water (5.4 %), while the HIIT-NonAlcohol group consumed non-alcoholic beer or sparkling water. A control group maintained an active lifestyle without regular training. Psychosocial parameters and mood were assessed at baseline and after 10 weeks using questionnaires, with bi-weekly assessments of stress, emotional intelligence, and mood.

Both intervention groups showed improvements in depression, affective and mood state parameters, and emotional intelligence after a 10-week HIIT program (all p < 0.05), independently of alcohol consumption, with no statistical differences between groups or sex influence (all p > 0.05). No significant improvements were noted in any of the variables in the Non-Training group.

We provide evidence that a 10-week HIIT program elicits improvements in psychosocial parameters and mood adaptations in healthy young adults. Moreover, no significant impairments were noted due to alcohol intake in moderate amounts.