Physiological and performance responses to high-intensity interval training in female inline speed skaters

Objective

To evaluate and compare the effects of high-intensity interval training (HIIT) varying in exercise intensities to traditional endurance training (TET) on physiological and performance adaptations in trained female inline speed skaters.

Methods

Participants were randomly assigned to one of 3 HIIT groups: 6,8,10 (repetitions/session from 1st to 3rd week respectively) × 60 seconds (s) at the running speed associated with $\dot{\text{V}}{\text{O}}_{2\max }$ ($100\%v\dot{\text{V}}{\text{O}}_{2\max }$) (H₁₀₀, N = 7), $115\%v\dot{\text{V}}{\text{O}}_{2\max }$ (H₁₁₅, N = 7), and $130\%v\dot{\text{V}}{\text{O}}_{2\max }$ (H₁₃₀, N = 7), 1:3 work to recovery ratio; and/or TET group (N = 7): 60-minute running at $75\%v\dot{\text{V}}{\text{O}}_{2\max }$ three sessions per week.

Results

Significant (except as shown) improvements (p < 0.05) following HIIT were found in: $\dot{\text{V}}{\text{O}}_{2\max }$ (H₁₀₀ = +7.6%, H₁₁₅ = +6.1%, H₁₃₀ = +0.1%; p = 0.4), $v\dot{\text{V}}{\text{O}}_{2\max }$ (H₁₀₀ = +10.3%, H₁₁₅ = +6.3%, H₁₃₀ = +9.8%), peak power output (PPO) (H₁₀₀ = +10.3%, H₁₁₅ = +9.1%, H₁₃₀ = +5.5%; p = 0.2), mean power output (MPO) (H₁₀₀ = +22.6%, H₁₁₅ = +24.1%, H₁₃₀ = +21.9%), 3000 meter (m) skating performance (H₁₀₀ = −15.2%, H₁₁₅ = −7.9%, H₁₃₀ = −10.6%), and T_max (H₁₀₀ = +39.4%, H₁₁₅ = +5.0%; p = 0.5, H₁₃₀ = +17.8%; p = 0.1). No significant differences were found among groups. Also, no changes in these variables were found in the TET group.

Conclusions

Present findings suggest that three weeks of HIIT program with low volume (almost 6 or 10 min per session) is associated with improvements in $\dot{\text{V}}{\text{O}}_{2\max }$, $v\dot{\text{V}}{\text{O}}_{2\max }$, PPO, MPO, 3000 m skating performance, and T_max in trained female inline speed skaters.