PMID 32378353

Research
All papers

Effect of somatic maturity on the aerobic and anaerobic adaptations to sprint interval training

Beyer KS, Stout JR, Redd MJ, Baker KM, Church DD, Bergstrom HC, Hoffman JR, Fukuda DH

Question

Do youth male athletes at different stages of somatic maturity adapt differently to a 4-week cycling sprint interval training program?

Summary

This quasi-experimental study tested 4 weeks of all-out cycling sprint interval training in male youth multisport athletes grouped by maturity status. More mature, post-peak-height-velocity athletes improved both aerobic and anaerobic outcomes, peripubertal athletes improved repeated sprint power only, and prepubertal athletes did not show clear improvements. The protocol was demanding: 20-second maximal cycling sprints against 7.5% body mass with 4-minute active recoveries.

Methodology

  • Male youth multisport athletes aged 11-17 years, grouped by years from peak height velocity.
  • 27 participants.
  • Cycle ergometer.
  • Work intervals: 20 seconds maximal sprint.
  • Recovery: 4 minutes active recovery.
  • Intensity: All-out against 7.5% body mass resistance.
  • Training table reports total session time from 14 minutes at 4 sprints to 26 minutes at 7 sprints, plus 5-minute warm-up described in text.
  • 2 sessions/week.
  • 4 weeks.
  • Quasi-experimental pre-post intervention comparing maturity-status groups; no non-training control group.
  • VO2peak and maximal aerobic power, Fatigue thresholds, Repeated sprint performance, and Training work were tracked.

Outcomes

Maximal aerobic power

Maximal aerobic power increased across the whole sample regardless of maturity group.

Main time effect p<0.001; baseline 212.61 +/- 57.45 W to post 223.24 +/- 58.90 W.

Improved

VO2peak

VO2peak increased only in the postpubertal group, not prepubertal or peripubertal groups.

Group x time p=0.033; POST 3.31 +/- 0.43 to 3.54 +/- 0.43 L/min, p=0.003.

Mixed

Systemic fatigue thresholds

GET, VT, and RCP improved in POST, with no changes in PRE or PERI.

Authors report significant increases in POST and no changes in PRE/PERI.

Mixed

Repeated peak and mean sprint power

PERI and POST improved session-average peak and mean power from session 1 to 8, while PRE did not.

PP group x time p=0.035; MP group x time p=0.022. PERI PP p=0.003, MP p=0.009; POST PP p=0.001, MP p=0.012; PRE not significant.

Mixed

Prepubertal response

PRE participants had no significant aerobic or anaerobic improvements after this 4-week cycling SIT program.

PRE VO2peak p=0.410; PP p=0.169; MP p=0.480.

No clear change

Insights

  • All-out cycling SIT may not produce the same adaptations across youth maturity stages.
  • A 20-second sprint with 4-minute recovery is a low-volume but high-intensity athlete protocol.
  • For youth, maturity and training background should shape expectations and programming.

Limitations

  • No non-training control group.
  • Small maturity subgroups.
  • Male youth athletes only.
  • Training heart rate was not recorded.
  • Outside sport practices continued during the intervention.

Safety

  • Participants required sport medical clearance.
  • Six recruited participants did not complete due to scheduling conflicts.
  • The article did not report training adverse events or injuries.