Reducing training frequency from 3 or 4 sessions/week to 2 sessions/week does not attenuate improvements in maximal aerobic capacity with reduced-exertion high-intensity interval training (REHIT)

Citation

Thomas G, Songsorn P, Gorman A, Brackenridge B, Cullen T, Fitzpatrick BL, Metcalfe RS & Vollaard NB (2020) Reducing training frequency from 3 or 4 sessions/week to 2 sessions/week does not attenuate improvements in maximal aerobic capacity with reduced-exertion high-intensity interval training (REHIT). Applied Physiology, Nutrition, and Metabolism, 45 (6), pp. 683-685. https://doi.org/10.1139/apnm-2019-0750

Abstract
In the present randomised-controlled trial we investigated the effect of REHIT training frequency (2/3/4 sessions/week for 6 weeks) on maximal aerobic capacity (V̇O2max) in 42 inactive individuals (13 women; mean±SD age: 25±5 y, V̇O2max: 35±5 mL·kg-1·min-1). Changes in V̇O2max were not significantly different between the three groups (2 sessions/week: +10.2%; 3 sessions/week: +8.1%; 4 sessions per week: +7.3%). In conclusion, a training frequency of 2 sessions/week is sufficient for REHIT to improve V̇O2max. Novelty: • We demonstrate that reducing REHIT training frequency from 3 or 4 to 2 sessions/week does not attenuate improvements in the key health marker of V̇O2max.

Keywords
Nutrition and Dietetics; Physiology (medical); Physiology; Endocrinology, Diabetes and Metabolism; General Medicine

Journal
Applied Physiology, Nutrition, and Metabolism: Volume 45, Issue 6

People

Dr Niels Vollaard

Lecturer in Health and Exercise Science, Sport