Effects of reduced-volume of sprint interval training and the time course of physiological and performance adaptations

Abstract

This study sought to determine the time course of training adaptations to two different sprint interval training programmes with the same sprint: rest ratio (1:8) but different sprint duration. Nine participants (M: 7; F: 2) were assigned to 15-second training group (15TG) consisting of 4-6 × 15-second sprints interspersed with 2-minute recovery, whereas eight participants (M: 5; F: 3) were assigned to 30-second training group (30TG) consisting of 4-6 × 30 second sprints interspersed with 4-minute recovery. Both groups performed their respective training twice per week over 9 weeks and changes in peak oxygen uptake (VO2 peak) and time to exhaustion (TTE) were assessed every 3 weeks. Additional eight healthy active adults (M: 6; F: 2) completed the performance assessments 9 weeks apart without performing training (control group, CON). Following 9 weeks of training, both groups improved (VO2 peak) (15TG: 12.1%; 30TG: 12.8%, P