Markers of biological stress in response to a single session of high-intensity interval training and high-volume training in young athletes.
OBJECTIVE
The aim of the present study was to compare the effects of high-intensity interval training (HIIT) vs high-volume training (HVT) on salivary stress markers [cortisol (sC), testosterone (sT), alpha-amylase (sAA)], metabolic and cardiorespiratory response in young athletes.


METHODS
Twelve young male cyclists (14 ± 1 years; 57.9 ± 9.4 mL min-1kg-1peak oxygen uptake) performed one session of HIIT (4 × 4 min intervals at 90-95 % peak power output separated by 3 min of active rest) and one session of HVT (90 min constant load at 60 % peak power output). The levels of sC, sT, their ratio (sT/sC) and sAA were determined before and 0, 30, 60, 180 min after each intervention. Metabolic and cardiorespiratory stress was characterized by blood lactate, blood pH, respiratory exchange ratio (RER) and heart rate (HR), oxygen uptake ([Formula: see text]), ventilation (VE) and ventilatory equivalent (VE/[Formula: see text]).


RESULTS
sC increased 30 and 60 min after HIIT. However, 180 min post exercise, sC decreased below baseline levels in both conditions. sT increased 0 and 30 min after HIIT and 0 min after HVT. sAA and sT/sC ratio did not change significantly over time in HIIT nor HVT. Metabolic and cardiorespiratory stress, evidenced by blood lactate, HR, [Formula: see text], VE, and VE/[Formula: see text] was higher during HIIT compared to HVT.


CONCLUSIONS
The metabolic and cardiorespiratory stress during HIIT was higher compared to HVT, but based on salivary analyses (cortisol, testosterone, alpha-amylase), we conclude no strong acute catabolic effects neither by HIIT nor by HVT.
Institute of Training Science and Sport Informatics, German Sport University Cologne, Am Sportpark Muengersdorf 6, 50933, Cologne, Germany. y.kilian@dshs-koeln.de.|The German Research Centre of Elite Sport, German Sport University Cologne, Cologne, Germany. y.kilian@dshs-koeln.de.
Yvonne
Y
Kilian
Research Centre for School Sports and the Physical Education of Children and Young Adults, Karlsruhe Institute of Technology, Karlsruhe, Germany.
Florian
F
Engel
Institute of Training Science and Sport Informatics, German Sport University Cologne, Am Sportpark Muengersdorf 6, 50933, Cologne, Germany.|The German Research Centre of Elite Sport, German Sport University Cologne, Cologne, Germany.|Department of Molecular and Cellular Sport Medicine, Institute of Cardiovascular Research and Sport Medicine, German Sport University Cologne, Cologne, Germany.
Patrick
P
Wahl
Institute of Training Science and Sport Informatics, German Sport University Cologne, Am Sportpark Muengersdorf 6, 50933, Cologne, Germany.|The German Research Centre of Elite Sport, German Sport University Cologne, Cologne, Germany.
Silvia
S
Achtzehn
Integrative and Experimental Exercise Science, Department of Sport Science, University of Würzburg, Würzburg, Germany.
Billy
B
Sperlich
Institute of Training Science and Sport Informatics, German Sport University Cologne, Am Sportpark Muengersdorf 6, 50933, Cologne, Germany.|The German Research Centre of Elite Sport, German Sport University Cologne, Cologne, Germany.
Joachim
J
Mester
D000293:Adolescent; D001642:Bicycling / Q000502:physiology*; D015415:Biomarkers / Q000032:analysis; D000072696:High-Intensity Interval Training / Q000379:methods*; D006801:Humans; D006854:Hydrocortisone / Q000032:analysis*; D008297:Male; D010807:Physical Endurance / Q000502:physiology; D012463:Saliva / Q000737:chemistry*; D013312:Stress, Physiological; D013739:Testosterone / Q000032:analysis*; D000516:alpha-Amylases / Q000032:analysis*
D015415:Biomarkers; D013739:Testosterone; D000516:alpha-Amylases; D006854:Hydrocortisone
Alpha-amylase; Cortisol; Exercise; Saliva; Testosterone