Aerobic adaptations following two iso-effort training programs: an intense continuous and a high-intensity interval

This study compared the aerobic adaptations following two iso-effort, ratings of perceived exertion (RPE)-based training programs, an intense continuous (CON) and a high-intensity interval (INT). Young adults were assigned to a CON (n  = 11) or an INT (n = 13) training group to perform 14 training sessions within 6 weeks. The INT group performed running bouts (9.3 ± 4.4 repetitions) at 90% of peak treadmill velocity (PTV) with bout duration equal to 1/4 of time to exhaustion at this speed (134.2 ± 27.9 s). The CONT group ran (1185.0 ± 487.6 s) at a speed corresponding to −2.5% of critical velocity (CV; 80.1% ± 3.0% of PTV). Training-sessions were executed until RPE attained 17 on the Borg scale. VO2max, PTV, CV, lactate threshold velocity (vLT), and running economy were assessed pre-, mid-, and post- training. Both CONT and INT methods increased (p <  0.05) VO2max (INT: 57.7 ± 8.1–61.41 ± 9.2; CONT: 58.1 ± 7.5–61.1 ± 6.3 mL kg−1 min−1), PTV (INT: 14.6 ± 1.8–15.7 ± 2.1; CONT: 15.0 ± 1.7–15.7 ± 1.8 km h−1), CV (INT: 11.8 ± 1.4–12.8 ± 1.8; CONT: 12.2 ± 1.6–12.9 ± 1.7 km h−1), an d vLT (INT: 9.77 ± 1.1–10.8 ± 1.4; CONT: 10.4 ± 1.4–11.0 ± 1.8 km h−1) with no differences (p >  0.05) between them; running economy remained unchanged. The continuous training method, when matched for effort and executed at relatively high intensity at the upper boundaries of the...
Source: Applied Physiology, Nutrition, and Metabolism - Category: Physiology Authors: Source Type: research