Sprint interval training on the vertical treadmill improves aerobic and anaerobic running performance
Question
Does sprint interval training performed on a nonmotorized vertical treadmill improve aerobic and anaerobic running performance, and are effects similar to overground shuttle sprint training?
Summary
Six weeks of 30 s all-out sprint interval training improved VO2max and maximal anaerobic running performance in physically active young men. Improvements were similar whether sprinting was performed on a vertical treadmill device or as overground shuttle sprints.
Methodology
- Thirty healthy physically active male students, mean age 22 years, participating in intermittent sprint sports such as rugby, soccer, or hockey two to three times per week.
- 30 participants.
- VertiRun nonmotorized vertical treadmill.
- Work intervals: 30 s maximal efforts.
- Recovery: 4.5 min low-intensity active recovery at RPE 9.
- Intensity: Maximal/all-out sprint efforts.
- Interval count dependent; about 20-30 min excluding warm-up details.
- 3 sessions/week.
- 6 weeks.
- Matched randomized controlled 6-week pre/post intervention
- VO2max treadmill test, Maximal anaerobic running test performance, Peak blood lactate after tests, and Training adherence were tracked.
Outcomes
Anaerobic performance
Maximal anaerobic running test performance increased 4.5% after vertical treadmill SIT and 4.0% after overground sprint SIT; control did not change.
VO2max
VO2max increased 6.2% after vertical treadmill SIT and 5.5% after overground sprint SIT; control did not change.
Blood lactate
Peak blood lactate after tests did not significantly change.
Adherence
Training adherence was high and similar between vertical treadmill and overground sprint groups.
Insights
- A classic 30 s all-out / 4.5 min recovery SIT protocol can improve both aerobic and anaerobic running tests in active young men.
- Vertical treadmill sprinting produced similar benefits to overground shuttle sprinting in this sample.
- Progressing repetition count every two weeks is a simple SIT dose progression.
Limitations
- Small groups of 10 participants.
- Physically active young men only.
- Training load was not stringently matched or quantified between modes.
- Mechanisms for adaptation were not directly measured.
- No adverse-event reporting beyond adherence.
Safety
- No adverse events were reported in the article sections reviewed; adherence was high in both training groups.