The Effects of High Intensity Interval Training versus Steady State Training on Aerobic and Anaerobic Capacity

Courtney Farland, Jeff Schuette, Carl Foster, John P. Porcari, Scott Doberstein, Michelle M. Harbin, Flavia Guidotti, Brianna Roberts, Andrew Tuuri

Medicine & Science in Sports & Exercise · 2015 · 28 citations · 0 references

Concepts

Abstract

BACKGROUND: High intensity interval training (HIIT) has become increasingly popular exercise due to its potentially large effects and short time requirement. PURPOSE: The purpose of this study was to compare the effects of two HIIT protocols vs steady-state training on aerobic and anaerobic capacity following 8-weeks training. METHODS: Fifty-five untrained college-aged subjects (17 male, 38 female), randomly assigned to three training groups (Steady-state (n=19) completed 20 minutes at 90% of ventilatory threshold (VT); Tabata (n=21) completed eight intervals of 20s @ 170% VO2max/10 s rest; Meyer (n=15) completed 13 sets of 30s @ 100% PVO2max/ 60s recovery, average PO=90% VT. Each subject did 24 training sessions. RESULTS: There were significant (p<0.05)increases in VO2max and PPO for each training group, as well as significant increases in peak & mean power during Wingate testing but no differences between groups. CONCLUSION: The results suggest that steady-state, Tabata, and Meyer protocols elicit similar increases in aerobic and anaerobic capacity.