Exercise Dose Equalization in High-Intensity Interval Training: A Scoping Review

Tom Normand-Gravier, Florian Britto, Thierry Launay, Andrew Renfree, Jean-François Toussaint and François-Denis Desgorces
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Tom Normand-Gravier: Université Paris Cité, 75015 Paris, France
Florian Britto: Université Paris Cité, 75015 Paris, France
Thierry Launay: Université Paris Cité, 75015 Paris, France
Andrew Renfree: School of Sport & Exercise Science, University of Worcester, Worcester WR2 6AJ, UK
Jean-François Toussaint: Université Paris Cité, 75015 Paris, France
François-Denis Desgorces: Université Paris Cité, 75015 Paris, France

IJERPH, 2022, vol. 19, issue 9, 1-10

Abstract: Based on comparisons to moderate continuous exercise (MICT), high-intensity interval training (HIIT) is becoming a worldwide trend in physical exercise. This raises methodological questions related to equalization of exercise dose when comparing protocols. The present scoping review aims to identify in the literature the evidence for protocol equalization and the soundness of methods used for it. PubMed and Scopus databases were searched for original investigations comparing the effects of HIIT to MICT. A total of 2041 articles were identified, and 169 were included. Of these, 98 articles equalized protocols by utilizing energy-based methods or exercise volume (58 and 31 articles, respectively). No clear consensus for protocol equalization appears to have evolved over recent years. Prominent equalization methods consider the exercise dose (i.e., energy expenditure/production or total volume) in absolute values without considering the nonlinear nature of its relationship with duration. Exercises resulting from these methods induced maximal exertion in HIIT but low exertion in MICT. A key question is, therefore, whether exercise doses are best considered in absolute terms or relative to individual exercise maximums. If protocol equalization is accepted as an essential methodological prerequisite, it is hypothesized that comparison of program effects would be more accurate if exercise was quantified relative to intensity-related maximums.

Keywords: training programs; physical activity; effort; patients; athletes (search for similar items in EconPapers)
JEL-codes: I I1 I3 Q Q5 (search for similar items in EconPapers)
Date: 2022
References: View references in EconPapers View complete reference list from CitEc
Citations: View citations in EconPapers (1)

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