Effects of Low-Volume, High-Intensity Whole-Body Calisthenics on Army ROTC Cadets.
Our objective was to determine the effects of high-intensity interval training (HIT) on fitness in Army Reserve Officers' Training Corps cadets. Twenty-six college-aged (20.5 ± 1.7 years) participants completed 4 weeks of exercise training 3 days · wk(-1) consisting of either approximately 60 minutes of typical physical training or HIT whole-body calisthenics involving 4 to 7 sets of 30-second "all out" burpees separated by 4 minutes of active recovery. Several pre- and postintervention fitness variables were compared. We observed no changes across time or differences between groups in aerobic capacity, anaerobic capacity, or Army Physical Fitness Test performance (p > 0.05). However, there was a significant Group × Time interaction (p = 0.015) for skeletal muscle mitochondrial function (Tc: time constant of recovery). For the typical physical training group, we observed improved mitochondrial function (Tc decreased 2.4 ± 4.6 seconds; Cohen's d = -0.51); whereas, mitochondrial function decreased in HIT (Tc increased 2.4 ± 4.6 seconds; d = 0.50). HIT sustained fitness despite the short duration and reduced volume of activity. A program that includes HIT as part of a larger program may be well suited for maintaining fitness in moderately trained armed forces personnel without access to equipment.
Department of Kinesiology, 330 River Road, Ramsey Center, University of Georgia, Athens, GA 30602-6554.
Nicholas H
NH
Gist
Department of Kinesiology, 330 River Road, Ramsey Center, University of Georgia, Athens, GA 30602-6554.
Eric C
EC
Freese
Department of Kinesiology, 330 River Road, Ramsey Center, University of Georgia, Athens, GA 30602-6554.
Terence E
TE
Ryan
Department of Kinesiology, 330 River Road, Ramsey Center, University of Georgia, Athens, GA 30602-6554.
Kirk J
KJ
Cureton
D000293:Adolescent; D005260:Female; D006173:Gymnastics; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008889:Military Personnel; D008928:Mitochondria / Q000502:physiology; D018482:Muscle, Skeletal / Q000502:physiology; D010101:Oxygen Consumption; D064797:Physical Conditioning, Human / Q000379:methods* / Q000502:physiology*; D005082:Physical Exertion / Q000502:physiology*; D055815:Young Adult