title: 10 or 30-s sprint interval training bouts enhance both aerobic and anaerobic performance.
abstract: We assessed whether 10-s sprint interval training (SIT) bouts with 2 or 4 min recovery periods can improve aerobic and anaerobic performance. Subjects (n = 48) were assigned to one of four groups [exercise time (s):recovery time (min)]: (1) 30:4, (2) 10:4, (3) 10:2 or (4) control (no training). Training was cycling 3 week(-1) for 2 weeks (starting with 4 bouts session(-1), increasing 1 bout every 2 sessions, 6 total). Pre- and post-training measures included: VO(2max), 5-km time trial (TT), and a 30-s Wingate test. All groups were similar pre-training and the control group did not change over time. The 10-s groups trained at a higher intensity demonstrated by greater (P < 0.05) reproducibility of peak (10:4 = 96%; 10:2 = 95% vs. 30:4 = 89%), average (10:4 = 84%; 10:2 = 82% vs. 30:4 = 58%), and minimum power (10:4 = 73%; 10:2 = 69%; vs. 30:4 = 40%) within each session while the 30:4 group performed ~2X (P < 0.05) the total work session(-1) (83-124 kJ, 4-6 bouts) versus 10:4 (38-58 kJ); 10:2 (39-59 kJ). Training increased TT performance (P < 0.05) in the 30:4 (5.2%), 10:4 (3.5%), and 10:2 (3.0%) groups. VO(2max) increased in the 30:4 (9.3%) and 10:4 (9.2%), but not the 10:2 group. Wingate peak power kg(-1) increased (P < 0.05) in the 30:4 (9.5%), 10:4 (8.5%), and 10:2 (4.2%). Average Wingate power kg(-1) increased (P < 0.05) in the 30:4 (12.1%) and 10:4 (6.5%) groups. These data indicate that 10-s (with either 2 or 4 min recovery) and 30-s SIT bouts are effective for increasing anaerobic and aerobic performance.
authors.affiliation: Exercise Nutrition Research Laboratory, Faculty of Health Sciences, School of Kinesiology, 2235 3M Centre, The University of Western Ontario, London, ON, N6A 3K7, Canada. thazell@uwo.ca
authors.forename: Tom J
authors.initials: TJ
authors.lastname: Hazell
authors.forename: Rebecca E K
authors.initials: RE
authors.lastname: Macpherson
authors.forename: Braden M R
authors.initials: BM
authors.lastname: Gravelle
authors.forename: Peter W R
authors.initials: PW
authors.lastname: Lemon
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D015308:Anaerobic Threshold; D054874:Athletic Performance; D001642:Bicycling; D001823:Body Composition; D015444:Exercise; D005080:Exercise Test; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D009119:Muscle Contraction; D053580:Muscle Strength; D018482:Muscle, Skeletal / Q000502:physiology*; D010101:Oxygen Consumption; D020127:Recovery of Function; D015203:Reproducibility of Results; D013997:Time Factors; D055815:Young Adult