Decreasing sprint duration from 20 to 10 s during reduced-exertion high-intensity interval training (REHIT) attenuates the increase in maximal aerobic capacity but has no effect on affective and perceptual responses

Citation

Nalcakan G, Songsorn P, Fitzpatrick BL, Yüzbasioglu Y, Brick N, Metcalfe R & Vollaard N (2018) Decreasing sprint duration from 20 to 10 s during reduced-exertion high-intensity interval training (REHIT) attenuates the increase in maximal aerobic capacity but has no effect on affective and perceptual responses. Applied Physiology, Nutrition, and Metabolism, 43 (4), pp. 338-344. https://doi.org/10.1139/apnm-2017-0597

Abstract
Purpose: Recent studies have demonstrated that modifying the ‘classic’ 6x30-s ‘all-out’ sprint interval training (SIT) protocol by incorporating either shorter sprints (6x10-s or 15-s sprints) or fewer sprints (e.g. 2x20-s sprints; reduced-exertion high-intensity interval training (REHIT)) does not attenuate the training-induced improvements in maximal aerobic capacity (VO2max). The aim of the present study was to determine whether reducing the sprint duration in the REHIT protocol from 20 s to 10 s per sprint influences acute affective responses and the change in VO2max following training.  Methods: Thirty-six sedentary or recreationally active participants (17 women; mean±SD age: 22±3 y, BMI: 24.5±4.6 kg·m-2, VO2max: 37±8 mL·kg-1·min-1) were randomised to a group performing a ‘standard’ REHIT protocol involving 2x20-s sprints or a group who performed 2x10-s sprints. VO2max was determined before and after 6 weeks of 3 weekly training sessions. Acute affective responses and perceived exertion were assessed during training.  Results: Greater increases in VIO2max were observed for the group performing 20-s sprints (2.77±0.75 to 3.04±0.75 L·min-1; +10%) compared to the group performing 10-s sprints (2.58±0.57 vs. 2.67±3.04 L·min-1; +4%; group×time interaction effect: p<0.05; d=1.06). Positive affect and the mood state vigour increased post-exercise, while tension, depression and total mood disturbance decreased, and negative affect remained unchanged. Affective responses and perceived exertion were not altered by training and were not different between groups.  Conclusion: Reducing sprint duration in the REHIT protocol from 20 s to 10 s attenuates improvements in VO2max, and does not result in more positive affective responses or lower perceived exertion.

Keywords
VO2max; sprint interval training; SIT; Wingate sprint; affect

Journal
Applied Physiology, Nutrition, and Metabolism: Volume 43, Issue 4

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Dr Niels Vollaard

Lecturer in Health and Exercise Science, Sport