Optimising Interval Training Prescription (Volume II)

A special issue of Sports (ISSN 2075-4663).

Deadline for manuscript submissions: closed (20 October 2023) | Viewed by 11116

Special Issue Editor


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Guest Editor
Department of Kinesiology, Laval University, Quebec, QC G1V 0A6, Canada
Interests: hypoxic training; altitude; blood-flow restriction; interval training; performance enhancement; exercise tolerance; tissue oxygenation
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Special Issue Information

Dear Colleagues,

High-intensity interval training (HIT) is one of the most effective ways to improve performance in various sports. Extensive research has focused on understanding the acute and chronic effects of different forms of HIT to optimize prescription in athletes. Various peripheral, cardiovascular, and neural adaptations contribute to increased cardiorespiratory fitness, power, and endurance after HIT programs. However, sport scientists and coaches continue to explore innovative ways to increase the load (i.e., stress) imposed by such training sessions to further optimize physiological adaptations and produce greater athletic performance gains. For example, varied training characteristics, environmental, and nutritional manipulations have been demonstrated as superior training methods compared to HIIT alone.

In the ever-changing context of high-performance sport, providing practitioners with new evidence-based information about effective stimuli to enhance the efficacy of HIT for varied athletic populations is essential. Therefore, this Special Issue welcomes original research contributions that provide new knowledge on the use of external stimuli and/or manipulation of training variables to enhance the quality of acute and chronic interval and repeated-sprint training sessions for long-term adaptations in trained athletes. Contributions should also explore the physiological mechanisms at play to better comprehend performance gains.

Prof. Dr. François Billaut
Guest Editor

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Keywords

  • performance enhancement
  • training prescription
  • interval training
  • repeated-sprint exercise
  • exercise tolerance
  • athletes
  • ergogenic aids

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Related Special Issue

Published Papers (4 papers)

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Research

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10 pages, 927 KiB  
Article
A Comparative Analysis of Acute Physiological and Perceptual Responses in Whole-Body and Ergometer-Based High-Intensity Interval Training Protocols
by Gustavo Z. Schaun, Rafael B. Orcy and Fabrício B. Del Vecchio
Sports 2024, 12(6), 166; https://doi.org/10.3390/sports12060166 - 14 Jun 2024
Viewed by 919
Abstract
The primary aim of the present investigation was to compare the acute physiological and perceptual responses between two modes of interval training using a randomized crossover design. More specifically, eleven young adult participants (23 ± 4 years, 77 ± 13 kg, 178 ± [...] Read more.
The primary aim of the present investigation was to compare the acute physiological and perceptual responses between two modes of interval training using a randomized crossover design. More specifically, eleven young adult participants (23 ± 4 years, 77 ± 13 kg, 178 ± 7 cm) performed two protocols: one composed of whole-body calisthenics exercises and another on a cycle ergometer. Both protocols encompassed eight 20 s bouts at intensities equivalent to all-out (HIIT-WB) and 170% of the maximal power output (HIIT-C), respectively, interspersed with 10 s of passive rest. The peak and average heart rate, the rating of perceived effort, and blood lactate, creatine kinase, and lactate dehydrogenase concentrations were measured. Aside from blood lactate (HIIT-WB = 9.4 ± 1.8 mmo/L; HIIT-C = 12.5 ± 2.5 mmol/L, p < 0.05) and the rating of perceived exertion (HIIT-WB = 8.8 ± 0.9; HIIT-C = 9.6 ± 0.5, p < 0.05), physiological responses did not significantly differ between protocols (all p > 0.05), with high average heart rate values (HIIT-WB = 86 ± 6% HRmax; HIIT-C = 87 ± 4% HRmax) and a low magnitude of muscle damage, as inferred by CK and LDH concentrations (HIIT-WB = 205.9 ± 56.3 and 203.5 ± 72.4 U/L; HIIT-C = 234.5 ± 77.1 and 155.1 ± 65.3 U/L), respectively. It can be concluded that both protocols elicit vigorous heart rate responses and a low magnitude of muscle damage and, therefore, appear as viable alternatives to improve aerobic fitness. The inclusion of a whole-body HIIT protocol may be an interesting alternative for training prescription in relation to more common interval training protocols. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Optimising Interval Training Prescription (Volume II))
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12 pages, 712 KiB  
Article
Acute Oxygen Consumption Response to Fast Start High-Intensity Intermittent Exercise
by Payton Miller, Noah Perez and John W. Farrell III
Sports 2023, 11(12), 238; https://doi.org/10.3390/sports11120238 - 1 Dec 2023
Cited by 1 | Viewed by 2079
Abstract
The current investigation compared the acute oxygen consumption (VO2) response of two high-intensity interval exercises (HIIE), fast start (FSHIIE), and steady power (SPHIIE), which matched w prime (W’) depletion. Eight cyclists completed an incremental max test and a three-minute all-out test [...] Read more.
The current investigation compared the acute oxygen consumption (VO2) response of two high-intensity interval exercises (HIIE), fast start (FSHIIE), and steady power (SPHIIE), which matched w prime (W’) depletion. Eight cyclists completed an incremental max test and a three-minute all-out test (3MT) to determine maximal oxygen consumption (VO2max), critical power (CP), and W’. HIIE sessions consisted of 3 X 4 min intervals interspersed by 3 min of active recovery, with W’ depleted by 60% (W’target) within each working interval. SPHIIE depleted the W’target consistently throughout the 3 min intervals, while FSHIIE depleted the W’target by 50% within the first minute, with the remaining 50% depleted evenly across the remainder of the interval. The paired samples t-test revealed no differences in the percentage of training time spent above 90% of VO2max (PT ≥ 90% VO2max) between SPHIIE and FSHIIE with an average of 25.20% and 26.07%, respectively. Pairwise comparisons indicated a difference between minute 1 peak VO2, minute 2, and minute 3, while no differences were present between minutes 2 and 3. The results suggest that when HIIE formats are matched based on W’ expenditure, there are no differences in PT ≥ 90% VO2max or peak VO2 during each interval. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Optimising Interval Training Prescription (Volume II))
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16 pages, 2948 KiB  
Article
Periodized Aerobic Training between Thresholds Improves Submaximal Cardiorespiratory Parameters in Octogenarians
by Cristian Cofre-Bolados, Félix Vidal, Héctor Gutiérrez Espinoza, Ignacio Betancourt-Peters, Pedro A. Orihuela and Mikel Izquierdo
Sports 2023, 11(11), 219; https://doi.org/10.3390/sports11110219 - 8 Nov 2023
Viewed by 2341
Abstract
Background and Aims: The worldwide aging population is expanding, with more individuals living into their 80s. Physiological functions decline gradually with age, compounded by sedentary lifestyles. Incorporating physical activity into daily routine is crucial for maintaining independence. This study aimed to assess a [...] Read more.
Background and Aims: The worldwide aging population is expanding, with more individuals living into their 80s. Physiological functions decline gradually with age, compounded by sedentary lifestyles. Incorporating physical activity into daily routine is crucial for maintaining independence. This study aimed to assess a periodized high-intensity aerobic training program (PEZO-BT) in octogenarians, focusing on submaximal ergospirometry effects. Methods: A total of 48 non-frail octogenarian subjects (12 females, 36 males) were randomized into control and intervention groups. All subjects underwent submaximal cardiopulmonary exercise testing with gas analysis at baseline, stopping after the respiratory compensation point (RCP). Our intervention group completed a 14-week PEZO-BT aerobic training program. The outcomes were oxygen consumption at first ventilatory threshold (VO2AT), ventilatory efficiency slope (VE/VCO2), oxygen uptake efficiency slope (OUES), cardiorespiratory optimal point (COP), oxygen pulse change (ΔVO2/HR) from anaerobic threshold (AT) to respiratory compensation point (RCP), and power output at anaerobic threshold (POAT). Results: Mixed ANOVA examined time and treatment effects. If significance emerged, post hoc t-tests were used to compare significances between groups. The homogeneity of variance was assessed using Levene’s test. Chi-square tests compared ergospirometry criteria and ventilatory performance within groups. The mean differences at post intervention were significant in VO2AT (p < 0.001), VE/VCO2 (p < 0.001), ΔVO2/HR (p < 0.05), and POAT (p < 0.001), while OUES and COP were not significant (p > 0.05). However, clinical effects were observed in the entire intervention group. Conclusions: Training improved exercise capacity and workload. Overall, this periodic aerobic and high-intensity interval training (HIIT) program yielded significant improvements in cardiorespiratory fitness (CRF) in previously untrained octogenarians with and without comorbidities. The findings suggest implications for promoting long-term healthy aging. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Optimising Interval Training Prescription (Volume II))
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Review

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21 pages, 661 KiB  
Review
High-Intensity Training for Knee Osteoarthritis: A Narrative Review
by Domiziano Tarantino, Tine Theysmans, Rosita Mottola and Jonas Verbrugghe
Sports 2023, 11(4), 91; https://doi.org/10.3390/sports11040091 - 20 Apr 2023
Cited by 6 | Viewed by 4738
Abstract
Knee osteoarthritis (OA) is the most common joint disease worldwide. Exercise therapy has been identified as a first-line treatment option in patients suffering from knee OA. High-intensity training (HIT) is an innovative exercise modality with potential in improving various disease-related outcomes. The purpose [...] Read more.
Knee osteoarthritis (OA) is the most common joint disease worldwide. Exercise therapy has been identified as a first-line treatment option in patients suffering from knee OA. High-intensity training (HIT) is an innovative exercise modality with potential in improving various disease-related outcomes. The purpose of this review is to explore the impact of HIT on knee OA symptoms and physical functioning. A comprehensive search of scientific electronic databases was conducted to identify articles on the effects of HIT on knee OA. Thirteen studies were included in this review. Ten compared the effects of HIT with those of low-intensity training, moderate-intensity continuous training, or a control group. Three evaluated the effects of HIT alone. Eight reported a decrease in knee OA symptoms (especially pain), and eight reported an increase in physical functioning. HIT was shown to improve knee OA symptoms and physical functioning, but also aerobic capacity, muscle strength, and quality of life with minimal or no adverse events. However, compared with other exercise modalities, no clear superiority of HIT was found. HIT is a promising exercise strategy in patients with knee OA; nonetheless, the actual quality of evidence remains very low, and more high-quality studies are needed to confirm these promising outcomes. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Optimising Interval Training Prescription (Volume II))
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