PMID 30568598

Research
All papers

Effects of High-Intensity Interval Training vs. Sprint Interval Training on Anthropometric Measures and Cardiorespiratory Fitness in Healthy Young Women

Naves JPA, Viana RB, Rebelo ACS, de Lira CAB, Pimentel GD, Lobo PCB, de Oliveira JC, Ramirez-Campillo R, Gentil P

Question

How do 8 weeks of cycling HIIT and sprint interval training compare for anthropometric measures and cardiorespiratory fitness in healthy young women?

Summary

In 49 healthy active young women, both 8-week cycling HIIT and all-out sprint interval training improved VO2peak, waist circumference, and skinfold measures without reported dietary changes. SIT produced greater reductions in total skinfolds and was shorter per session, but the study lacked a no-exercise control group and was closely supervised one-to-one.

Methodology

  • Healthy physically active premenopausal women.
  • 49 participants.
  • Cycle ergometer.
  • Work intervals: 4 minutes.
  • Recovery: 3 minutes active recovery.
  • Intensity: 90-95% HRpeak; recovery 50-60% HRpeak.
  • 33 minutes.
  • 3 sessions/week.
  • 8 weeks.
  • Randomized clinical trial comparing two interval-training protocols
  • VO2peak, Skinfolds, Waist and body mass, and Dietary intake were tracked.

Outcomes

VO2peak

Both HIIT and SIT improved VO2peak, with no significant between-group difference.

HIIT +14.5 +/- 22.9%, SIT +16.9 +/- 23.4%, both p<.001; between-group p=.097.

Improved

Skinfolds

Both groups reduced skinfolds; SIT reduced the sum of skinfolds more than HIIT.

Sum skinfolds change favored SIT; between-group p=.045.

Improved

Waist

Waist circumference decreased similarly in both groups.

HIIT -3.1 +/- 1.1%; SIT -3.3 +/- 1.8%; both p<.001; no between-group difference.

Improved

Diet

Dietary intake did not significantly change in either group.

No significant between-group or pre-post dietary intake differences, p>.05.

No clear change

Insights

  • Both 4 x 4-minute HIIT and 4 x 30-second SIT are time-efficient cycling options for active young women.
  • SIT may reduce skinfold measures more but uses all-out intensity and should be screened carefully.
  • VO2peak gains were similar despite different session durations.

Limitations

  • No no-exercise control group.
  • One-to-one supervision limits translation to unsupervised use.
  • No VO2peak responder analysis.
  • Skinfolds are less accurate than imaging or DXA.
  • Healthy active female sample only.

Safety

  • Researchers monitored for dizziness, nausea, and muscle soreness.
  • No specific adverse-event counts were reported in the extracted results.