Twelve weeks of self-paced high-intensity interval training and continuous training similarly improved peak oxygen uptake by 16% and 21% respectively in inactive premenopausal women.
RCT (n=45)
Open-label
Randomized
No
Does self-paced high-intensity interval training improve health markers compared to continuous training or an inactive control in inactive premenopausal women?
Both 12 weeks of self-paced HIIT and continuous training improved cardiorespiratory fitness and cognitive function in inactive premenopausal women, but HIIT achieved these adaptations with a lower time commitment.
p-value: p=<0.01
To compare the effects of self-paced high-intensity interval and continuous cycle training on health markers in premenopausal women. Forty-five inactive females were randomised to a high-intensity interval training (HIIT; n = 15), continuous training (CT; n = 15) or an inactive control (CON; n = 15) group. HIIT performed 5 × 5 min sets comprising repetitions of 30-s low-, 20-s moderate- and 10-s high-intensity cycling with 2 min rest between sets. CT completed 50 min of continuous cycling. Training was completed self-paced, 3 times weekly for 12 weeks. Peak oxygen uptake (16 ± 8 and 21 ± 12%), resting heart rate (HR) (−5 ± 9 and −4 ± 7 bpm) and visual and verbal learning improved following HIIT and CT compared to CON (P 0.05). No outcome variable changed in the CON group (P > 0.05). Twelve weeks of self-paced HIIT and CT were similarly effective at improving cardiorespiratory fitness, resting HR and cognitive function in inactive premenopausal women, whereas blood pressure, submaximal HR, well-being and body mass adaptations were training-type-specific. Both training methods improved established health markers, but the adaptations to HIIT were evoked for a lower time commitment.
Connolly et al. (Wed,) conducted a rct in Physical inactivity (n=45). Self-paced high-intensity interval training (HIIT) or continuous training (CT) vs. Inactive control was evaluated on Peak oxygen uptake (VO2peak) improvement (p=<0.01). Twelve weeks of self-paced high-intensity interval training and continuous training similarly improved peak oxygen uptake by 16% and 21% respectively in inactive premenopausal women.