Effects of High Intensity Interval Training Using Ifittkids Module on Memory Strength, Attention and Aerobic Capacity

Executive function, attention, and memory are an important indicator of cognitive health of children. Cardiovascular fitness has a positive relationship with cognitive function performance. IFITTKIDS module is a training programme guided by High Intensity Interval Training (HIIT) used to see the effect on memory strength, attention and aerobic capacity. This HIIT training is able to increase the fitness level optimally in a short period of time. This study was conducted quantitatively using a ‘Pre and post control group design’. The study subjects consisted of 64 primary school students aged 11 years who were divided into two groups namely 32 participants in the treatment group and 32 in the control group. The intervention was conducted for 12 weeks with a training frequency of two times a week for 20 minutes per session. The results using ANCOVA test analysis showed that by adjusting the pre-test score as a covariate, the post-test score for memory strength, attention and aerobic capacity of the treatment group was significantly higher with the score from the control group with F (1.61) = 68.15, p <. 05, and eta squared = . 53, F(1,61) = 54.906, p < . 05, eta squared = . 47 and F (1.61) = 63,987, p <. 05, and eta squared = . 51. Substantially, the findings of this study show that HIIT training guided by IFITTKIDS MODULE for 8 weeks is productive in improvising aerobic capacity and memory strength in 11-year-old school children. The results of this study, recommend that this IFITTKIDS MODULE can be used as one of the training programme to increase the level of memory strength, attention and aerobic capacity in children. Descriptive statistical results showed that the mean post-memory test values for the treatment group (76.6969 ± 3.72105) surpassed the control group (66.5250 ± 5.14793). For the aspect of concentration, the mean post-test memory value for the treatment group (85.3438 ± 4.55511) surpassed the control group (75.9375 ± 4.65547) and the aerobic capacity score for the treatment group (30.8125 ± 1.41666) surpassed the control group (27.3313 ± 1.74253). One -way ANCOVA analysis was conducted to compare the effectiveness of the IFITTKIDS Module between the intervention group and the control group performing the ‘Continuous Aerobic Exercise’ exercise. ANCO VA assumptions are carried out first to ensure that it does not violate the assumptions of normality, linearity. homogeneity of variances, homogeneity of regression slopes and reliable measurement of the covariate. After controlling for the pre-test score, then statistical analysis showed that there was a significant difference on the post-test score of memory strength between the treatment group and the control group. F (1.61) = 68.15, p <. 05, and squared = . 53. For concentration, statistical analysis showed that there was a significant difference on the post-test score of concentration between the intervention group and the control group. F (1.61) = 54.906, p <. 05, and squared = . 47. Meanwhile, statistical analysis showed that there was a significant difference on the post-aerobic capacity score between the intervention group and the control group. F (1.61) = 63,987, p <. 05, and squared = . 51. These findings prove that the score of the treatment group using the IFITTKIDS Module recorded a higher score than the score of the control group in terms of memory strength, concentration and aerobic capacity.