The effects of low-volume high-intensity interval training and circuit training on maximal oxygen uptake.

Birkett, Stefan T.; Nichols, Simon; Sawrey, Richard; Gleadall-Siddall, Damien; McGregor, Gordon; Ingle, Lee

Abstract

High-intensity interval training (HIIT) and circuit training (CT) are popular methods of exercise, eliciting improvements in cardiorespiratory fitness (CRF). However, direct comparisons of these two training methods are limited. We investigated the effects of HIIT and CT on CRF. Thirty-nine apparently healthy middle-aged participants (HIIT; mean age: 42.5 ± 12.3; VO2max 31.5 ± 7.1 (ml kg−1 min−1); 52% males; CT; mean age: 41.2 ± 12.9; VO2max 31.4 ± 6.8 (ml kg−1 min−1); 57% males) were randomly allocated to two sessions per week of HIIT or CT over 8 weeks. HIIT performed ten 1-min cycle-ergometry intervals at > 85% HRmax, separated by ten 1-min intervals of active recovery. The CT group performed up to 40-min of CT at 60–80% HRmax. CRF was measured using maximum oxygen uptake (VO2max), ventilatory anaerobic threshold (VO2max at VAT) and maximum oxygen pulse (VOR2/HR). VO2max increased by 12% following HIIT (mean difference 3.9 ml kg−1 min−1; 95% CI: 2.8–4.9; P < 0.001), and 3% in CT (mean difference 1.0 ml kg−1 min−1; 95% CI: − 0.4 to 2.0; P = 0.060). VO2 at VAT increased by 16% following HIIT (mean difference 2.4 ml kg−1 min−1; 95% CI: 1.6–3.1; P < 0.001) and 4% in CT (mean difference 0.7 ml kg−1 min−1; 95% CI: − 0.1 to 1.4; P = 0.085). VO2/HR increased by 11% following HIIT (mean difference 1.4 ml beat−1; 95% CI: 0.9–2.0; P < 0.001) and 1% after CT (mean difference 0.3 ml beat−1; 95% CI: − 0.3 to 0.8; P = 0.318). Our study demonstrated that HIIT led to greater improvements in CRF when compared to CT. This clinical trial was registered with reference NCT03700671.

Citation

BIRKETT, S.T., NICHOLS, S., SAWREY, R., GLEADALL-SIDDALL, D., MCGREGOR, G. and INGLE, L. 2019. The effects of low-volume high-intensity interval training and circuit training on maximal oxygen uptake. Sport sciences for health (online), 15(2), pages 443-451. Available from: https://doi.org/10.1007/s11332-019-00552-2

• Journal Article Type: Article
• Acceptance Date: Apr 15, 2019
• Online Publication Date: May 2, 2019
• Publication Date: Aug 1, 2019
• Deposit Date: Nov 30, 2023
• Publicly Available Date: Nov 30, 2023
• Journal: Sport sciences for health
• Print ISSN: 1824-7490
• Electronic ISSN: 1825-1234
• Publisher: Springer
• Peer Reviewed: Peer Reviewed
• Volume: 15
• Issue: 2
• Pages: 443-451
• DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s11332-019-00552-2
• Keywords: High intensity interval training (HIIT); Circuit training; Cardiorespiratory fitness
• Public URL: https://rgu-repository.worktribe.com/output/2079753