The development of aerobic capacity: a comparison of continuous and interval training.

Abstract

Abstract Untrained college males were randomly assigned to one of two experimental groups or a control group. There were five, seven, and nine subjects in the control, interval, and continuous groups, respectively. Training consisted of jogging or running on a quarter-mile track for a distance of 2 miles, 5 days a week for 6 weeks. The continuous group trained at an intensity of 162 beats per minute (bpm), while the interval group trained at 174 bpm. A minimum of three 4-minute work intervals and a work/rest ratio of 1:1 were utilized by the interval group. Significant (p < .01) within-group (pre- versus posttraining) differences were found in the experimental groups for oxygen uptake (ml/kg·minute) at 180 bpm and Balke treadmill performance. Analysis of covariance demonstrated significant (p < .05) differences in aerobic capacity and treadmill performance among groups. Post hoc comparisons revealed significant (p < .05) differences between the control group and each experimental group. No significant dif...