Effects of Tabata training on physical fitness and mental health-related outcomes in children and adolescents: a systematic review and multilevel meta-analysis

Abstract

Tabata training is a time-efficient form of high-intensity interval training, typically characterized by repeated 20-s bouts of high-intensity exercise interspersed with 10-s recovery periods. Although HIIT has been studied in children and adolescents, the specific effects of Tabata-style training on physical fitness in this population remain unclear. This review also explored psychological, psychosocial, cognitive, and behavioral outcomes reported in eligible studies. This systematic review and meta-analysis followed PRISMA guidelines and was registered with PROSPERO (CRD42025632986). PubMed, Web of Science, Scopus and the Cochrane Library were searched from inception to 6 March 2026. Eligible studies included children and adolescents aged 6–18 years, used Tabata or Tabata-style training, included a control group, and reported pre- and post-intervention data for physical fitness or psychological, psychosocial, cognitive, or behavioral outcomes. Random-effects meta-analyses were conducted for VO2max, BMI, flexibility and muscular fitness. Two-level models were used for VO2max, BMI and flexibility, and a three-level model for muscular fitness. Psychological, psychosocial, cognitive, and behavioral outcomes were synthesized narratively and treated as exploratory. Fourteen study reports representing 10 independent cohorts were included. Tabata training significantly improved VO2max (Hedges’ g = 0.53, 95% CI 0.04 to 1.03) and muscular fitness (Hedges’ g = 0.30, 95% CI 0.07 to 0.53), but not flexibility (Hedges’ g = -0.04, 95% CI -0.27 to 0.20) or BMI (Hedges’ g = -0.15, 95% CI -0.40 to 0.10). Prediction intervals for VO2max and muscular fitness crossed zero, and age-based subgroup findings for muscular fitness were exploratory. Findings for psychological, psychosocial, cognitive, and behavioral outcomes were limited, heterogeneous and partly inconsistent. GRADE indicated moderate certainty for muscular fitness, low certainty for VO2max and flexibility, and very low certainty for BMI. Tabata-style training may improve selected physical fitness outcomes in children and adolescents, particularly VO2max and muscular fitness. However, the evidence base remains limited and uncertain. Existing evidence does not support broad improvements in BMI or flexibility, and findings for psychological, psychosocial, cognitive, and behavioral outcomes remain limited. This review provides a Tabata-specific synthesis of physical fitness outcomes in children and adolescents, using two- and three-level meta-analytic models tailored to the structure of the available data. Pooled analyses showed favorable effects on VO₂max and muscular fitness, corresponding to moderate and small effect sizes, respectively. No significant pooled effects were observed for BMI or flexibility. Psychological, psychosocial, cognitive, and behavioral outcomes were synthesized narratively, with exploratory findings varying across the constructs assessed.