To compare the effects of high-intensity interval training (HIIT) exercise prescription based on machine vision and routine on HIIT the physical and mental health of female college students with simple obesity, so as to provide a basis for the development of weight loss intervention plans for this population.

From August 2023 to February 2024, 115 female college students with simple obesity, selected from Lianyungang Vocational and Technical College and East China Normal University, were randomly divided into a control group (n=57) and an observation group (n=58) according to a random number table. The control group received routine HIIT, while the observation group received machine vision based on HIIT exercise prescription (including image acquisition module, image processing module, database management module, backend computer processing and feedback, intelligent evaluation module, which could be customized according to the subjects' preferences, providing exercise prescription based on the selected training program and supervised its standardized completion of the training plan). Both were intervened for 12 weeks, 30 minutes each time, once every 2 days, and rest every Sunday. The t-test was used to compare body shape, glucose and lipid metabolism, cardiopulmonary function indicators, anxiety and depression states between two groups before and after intervention.

Before intervention, there were no statistically significant differences in physical and mental health status indicators between two groups of female college students (t=0.13-0.86, all P>0.05). After intervention, body mass indexes, waist hip ratios, body fat percentage, fasting plasma glucose, 2-hour postprandial plasma glucose, hemoglobin A1c, triglycerides, total cholesterol, lowdensity lipoprotein cholesterol (LDL-C), anxiety and depression scores were all reduced in both groups (t_observation=-6.94 to -12.92, t_control=-2.71 to -10.95), of which the observation group [(23.46±2.18)kg/m², 0.70±0.06, (28.03±3.16)%, (4.55±0.67)mmol/L, (6.03±0.74)mmol/L, (5.10±0.70)%, (1.63±0.31)mmol/L, (4.24±0.58)mmol/L, (2.45±0.43)mmol/L, 35.28±4.76, and 33.03±4.03] were lower compared with the control group [(26.54±2.32)kg/m², 0.77±0.06, (30.74±4.38)%, (5.03±0.76)mmol/L, (6.62±0.82)mmol/L, (5.82±0.73)%, (1.98±0.35)mmol/L, (4.95±0.61)mmol/L, (2.88±0.47)mmol/L, 39.18±5.04, and 37.25±4.16] (t=-7.34, -6.26, -3.81, -3.59, -4.05, -5.40, -5.68, -6.40, -5.12, -4.27, -5.53)(all P < 0.05). After intervention, high density lipoprotein cholesterol, stroke volume, left ventricular ejection fraction, maximum oxygen consumption, volume of tidal, and vital capacity increased in both groups (t_observation=7.43-18.23, t_control=3.89-10.13), of which the observation group [(1.49±0.22)mmol/L, (72.35±4.69)mL, (68.95±5.10)%, (36.97±3.22)mL/(kg · min), (25.29±4.11)mL/(kg · min), and (3 374.26±169.54)mL] were higher compared with the control group [(1.23±0.20)mmol/L, (67.32±4.06)mL, (64.83±5.05)%, (33.24±3.14)mL/(kg · min), (23.01±3.58)mL/(kg · min), and (3 197.50±125.81)mL] (t=6.63, 6.15, 4.35, 6.29, 3.17, 6.34)(all P < 0.05).

HIIT exercise prescription based on machine vision has better effects than routine HIIT on impoving the body shape, glucose and lipid metabolism, cardiopulmonary function of female college students with simple obesity, and also their mental health.