Sprint Interval Running and Continuous Running Produce Training Specific Adaptations, Despite a Similar Improvement of Aerobic Endurance Capacity—A Randomized Trial of Healthy Adults

Sigbjørn Litleskare, Eystein Enoksen, Marit Sandvei, Line Støen, Trine Stensrud, Egil Johansen and Jørgen Jensen
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Sigbjørn Litleskare: Department of Physical Performance, Norwegian School of Sport Sciences, 0863 Oslo, Norway
Eystein Enoksen: Department of Physical Performance, Norwegian School of Sport Sciences, 0863 Oslo, Norway
Marit Sandvei: Department of Physical Performance, Norwegian School of Sport Sciences, 0863 Oslo, Norway
Line Støen: Department of Physical Performance, Norwegian School of Sport Sciences, 0863 Oslo, Norway
Trine Stensrud: Department of Physical Performance, Norwegian School of Sport Sciences, 0863 Oslo, Norway
Egil Johansen: Department of Physical Performance, Norwegian School of Sport Sciences, 0863 Oslo, Norway
Jørgen Jensen: Department of Physical Performance, Norwegian School of Sport Sciences, 0863 Oslo, Norway

IJERPH, 2020, vol. 17, issue 11, 1-12

Abstract: The purpose of the present study was to investigate training-specific adaptations to eight weeks of moderate intensity continuous training (CT) and sprint interval training (SIT). Young healthy subjects ( n = 25; 9 males and 16 females) performed either continuous training (30–60 min, 70–80% peak heart rate) or sprint interval training (5–10 near maximal 30 s sprints, 3 min recovery) three times per week for eight weeks. Maximal oxygen consumption, 20 m shuttle run test and 5·60 m sprint test were performed before and after the intervention. Furthermore, heart rate, oxygen pulse, respiratory exchange ratio, lactate and running economy were assessed at five submaximal intensities, before and after the training interventions. Maximal oxygen uptake increased after CT (before: 47.9 ± 1.5; after: 49.7 ± 1.5 mL·kg −1 ·min −1 , p < 0.05) and SIT (before: 50.5 ± 1.6; after: 53.3 ± 1.5 mL·kg −1 ·min −1 , p < 0.01), with no statistically significant differences between groups. Both groups increased 20 m shuttle run performance and 60 m sprint performance, but SIT performed better than CT at the 4th and 5th 60 m sprint after the intervention ( p < 0.05). At submaximal intensities, CT, but not SIT, reduced heart rate ( p < 0.05), whereas lactate decreased in both groups. In conclusion, both groups demonstrated similar improvements of several performance measures including VO 2max , but sprint performance was better after SIT, and CT caused training-specific adaptations at submaximal intensities.

Keywords: maximal oxygen consumption; heart rate; oxygen pulse; shuttle run; repeated sprint ability (search for similar items in EconPapers)
JEL-codes: I I1 I3 Q Q5 (search for similar items in EconPapers)
Date: 2020
References: View complete reference list from CitEc
Citations: View citations in EconPapers (2)

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