Heart Rate and Oxygen Uptake During Recovery from High-Intensity Interval Training: A Retrospective Analysis

Todd A. Astorino (), Gregory C. Bogdanis and Eduardo C. Costa
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Todd A. Astorino: Department of Kinesiology, California State University—San Marcos, San Marcos, CA 92096, USA
Gregory C. Bogdanis: School of Physical Education and Sport Science, National and Kapodistrian University, 17237 Athens, Greece
Eduardo C. Costa: ExCE Research Group, Department of Physical Education, Federal University of Rio Grande do Norte, Natal 59078-970, Brazil

IJERPH, 2025, vol. 22, issue 7, 1-13

Abstract: Background: Increases in maximal oxygen uptake (V̇O 2 max) occur with high-intensity interval training (HIIT), partially due to an extended duration spent at or near maximal V̇O 2 or heart rate (HRmax). HIIT induces a delay in HR and V̇O 2 during exercise, leading to consistently high HR/V̇O 2 values in recovery between intervals. Purpose: This study compared the V̇O 2 and HR response between exercise and recovery to various cycling HIIT protocols using data from seven prior studies. Methods: Healthy, active men and women (N = 104, age and V̇O 2 max 24 ± 5 yr and 40 ± 7 mL/kg/min) underwent HIIT protocols having different durations (30–60 s), intensities (70–85 percent of maximal workload (%Wmax), and recovery periods (10–75 s). V̇O 2 , HR, and blood lactate concentration (BLa) were assessed. Results: Across studies, peak HR was equal to 90.7 ± 6.2% HRmax. Results showed no significant difference in mean HR (159 ± 14 vs. 160 ± 15 b/min, p = 0.48) or V̇O 2 (1.97 ± 0.47 vs. 1.98 ± 0.48 L/min, p = 0.82) between exercise and recovery. Conclusions: These data show elevated V̇O 2 and HR during recovery from HIIT, suggesting a substantial, sustained load on the cardiovascular system in recovery from interval exercise.

Keywords: interval exercise; recovery; intermittent exercise; cardiorespiratory fitness; blood lactate; cycling (search for similar items in EconPapers)
JEL-codes: I I1 I3 Q Q5 (search for similar items in EconPapers)
Date: 2025
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