Adaptations to 4-s Sprint Interval Training at Different Intensities

NCT ID: NCT06906393

Last Updated: 2025-04-02

Basic Information

• Recruitment Status: COMPLETED
• Clinical Phase: NA
• Total Enrollment: 24 participants
• Study Classification: INTERVENTIONAL
• Study Start Date: 2023-10-30
• Study Completion Date: 2024-10-02

Brief Summary

The purpose of this study is to investigate the chronic effects (i.e., 8 weeks, 3 times per week) of training at 50% and 75% of maximal power with 4-s sprint interval training on physiological adaptations. We previously examined the effect of training with an all-out intensity (i.e., 100% of maximal power) and reported increases in cardiorespiratory fitness. Now, we propose to examine the effects of a lower exercise intensity domains on cardiovascular fitness and its ability to stimulate the cardiorespiratory system. We hypothesize that training at 50% and 75% of maximal power will improve cardiorespiratory fitness similar to our previous findings while reducing the rate of perceived exertion during the exercise session. It is anticipated that the group engaged in training at 75% of maximal power will experience greater improvements in comparison to the group training at 50%.

Detailed Description

Background Sprint interval training (SIT) is a well-established method for improving cardiovascular and anaerobic performance. While most research focuses on all-out efforts, less is known about the effects of submaximal sprint intensities on these adaptations. This study examined how training at 50%, 75%, and all-out (85%) of maximal anaerobic power (Pmax) influences aerobic capacity and anaerobic power over an 8-week training period.

Methods

Participants: 24 recreationally active adults (12 females, 12 males) were randomly assigned to one of three training groups:

50% Pmax

75% Pmax

All-out (85% Pmax)

Training Protocol: Participants completed three sessions per week for eight weeks. Each session consisted of thirty 4-second sprints on a cycling ergometer, totaling 10 minutes per session.

Measurements: Peak oxygen consumption (VO₂peak) and maximal anaerobic power (Pmax) were assessed before and after the training program.

Conditions

Cardiovascular Fitness

Study Design

• Allocation Method: RANDOMIZED
• Intervention Model: PARALLEL
• Primary Study Purpose: TREATMENT
• Blinding Strategy: NONE

Study Groups

Training group 50% Pmax

Group Type: ACTIVE_COMPARATOR

Preventive treatment

Intervention Type: BEHAVIORAL

4-second Sprint Interval Training (SIT) over 8 weeks to improve cardiovascular health.

Training group 75% Pmax

Group Type: EXPERIMENTAL

Preventive treatment

Intervention Type: BEHAVIORAL

4-second Sprint Interval Training (SIT) over 8 weeks to improve cardiovascular health.

Training group All-out Pmax

Group Type: EXPERIMENTAL

Preventive treatment

Intervention Type: BEHAVIORAL

4-second Sprint Interval Training (SIT) over 8 weeks to improve cardiovascular health.

Interventions

Preventive treatment

4-second Sprint Interval Training (SIT) over 8 weeks to improve cardiovascular health.

Intervention Type: BEHAVIORAL

Eligibility Criteria

Inclusion Criteria

• Young (18-30),
• Healthy,
• Recreationally active, but untrained (not meeting ACSM's recommendations of 150 min/week of moderate-vigorous aerobic exercise)

Exclusion Criteria

• Cardiovascular disease
• Smoking
• Subjects who were exercising regularly (>75 min/week) were excluded.

• Minimum Eligible Age: 18 Years
• Maximum Eligible Age: 30 Years
• Eligible Sex: ALL
• Accepts Healthy Volunteers: Yes

Sponsors

University of Texas at Austin

OTHER

Sponsor Role: lead

Responsible Party

Responsibility Role: SPONSOR

Locations

Human Performance Laboratory, Department of Kinesiology and Health Education, the University of Texas at Austin

Austin, Texas, United States

Countries

United States

Other Identifiers

STUDY00004970

Identifier Type: -

Identifier Source: org_study_id