Evidence-Based Effects of High-Intensity Interval Training on Exercise Capacity and Health: A Review with Historical Perspective

Muhammed Mustafa Atakan, Yanchun Li, Şükran Nazan Koşar, Hüseyin Hüsrev Turnagöl and Xu Yan
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Muhammed Mustafa Atakan: Division of Exercise Nutrition and Metabolism, Faculty of Sport Sciences, Hacettepe University, 06800 Ankara, Turkey
Yanchun Li: China Institute of Sport and Health Science, Beijing Sport University, Beijing 100192, China
Şükran Nazan Koşar: Division of Exercise Nutrition and Metabolism, Faculty of Sport Sciences, Hacettepe University, 06800 Ankara, Turkey
Hüseyin Hüsrev Turnagöl: Division of Exercise Nutrition and Metabolism, Faculty of Sport Sciences, Hacettepe University, 06800 Ankara, Turkey
Xu Yan: Institute for Health and Sport (iHeS), Victoria University, Melbourne 8001, Australia

IJERPH, 2021, vol. 18, issue 13, 1-27

Abstract: Engaging in regular exercise results in a range of physiological adaptations offering benefits for exercise capacity and health, independent of age, gender or the presence of chronic diseases. Accumulating evidence shows that lack of time is a major impediment to exercise, causing physical inactivity worldwide. This issue has resulted in momentum for interval training models known to elicit higher enjoyment and induce adaptations similar to or greater than moderate-intensity continuous training, despite a lower total exercise volume. Although there is no universal definition, high-intensity interval exercise is characterized by repeated short bursts of intense activity, performed with a “near maximal” or “all-out” effort corresponding to ?90% of maximal oxygen uptake or >75% of maximal power, with periods of rest or low-intensity exercise. Research has indicated that high-intensity interval training induces numerous physiological adaptations that improve exercise capacity (maximal oxygen uptake, aerobic endurance, anaerobic capacity etc.) and metabolic health in both clinical and healthy (athletes, active and inactive individuals without any apparent disease or disorder) populations. In this paper, a brief history of high-intensity interval training is presented, based on the novel findings of some selected studies on exercise capacity and health, starting from the early 1920s to date. Further, an overview of the mechanisms underlying the physiological adaptations in response to high-intensity interval training is provided.

Keywords: exercise; intermittent training; physical endurance; health benefits; physiological adaptation (search for similar items in EconPapers)
JEL-codes: I I1 I3 Q Q5 (search for similar items in EconPapers)
Date: 2021
References: View references in EconPapers View complete reference list from CitEc
Citations: View citations in EconPapers (3)

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