# Relationship between maximal incremental and high-intensity interval exercise performance in elite athletes

PMID: 32396576
Journal: Physiological Reports
Published: 2020
Authors: Chang SC, Adami A, Lin HC, Lin YC, Chen CPC, Fu TC, Hsu CC, Huang SC

## Question

Which maximal incremental test variables relate to high-intensity interval exercise tolerance in female athletes and moderately active women?

## Summary

This was a testing study, not a training program. Female athletes tolerated more 1-minute supramaximal treadmill intervals than moderately active women, and performance related to recovery kinetics and muscle oxygenation.

## Population

- Female athletes and moderately active women.
- Sample size: 47
- Age: 15-28 years
- Sex: Female
- Fitness level: Elite/reserve athletes or moderately active
- Health status: Apparently healthy

## Methodology

- Descriptive laboratory testing study
- Two laboratory visits at least 24 h apart
- Exercise physiology laboratory
- Controlled study design.

## Protocol

- Supramaximal HIIT tolerance test.
- Modality: Treadmill running.
- Work intervals: 1 min at 120% maximal incremental velocity.
- Recovery: 1 min passive recovery.
- Sets or repetitions: Until volitional exhaustion.
- Intensity: 120% of highest incremental-test velocity.
- Session duration: Until exhaustion.
- Frequency: Single test.
- Program length: Acute testing.
- Progression: None.
- Maximal incremental treadmill test.
- Modality: Treadmill running.
- Work intervals: Modified Bruce incremental stages.
- Recovery: 1 min active and 3 min passive recovery after exhaustion.
- Sets or repetitions: One test.
- Intensity: To voluntary exhaustion.
- Frequency: Single visit.
- Program length: Acute testing.
- Progression: Incremental speed/grade.

## Outcomes

### Tolerance
Status: improved
Athletes completed more supramaximal intervals than moderately active women.

7.8 +/- 2.3 vs 4.2 +/- 1.4 repetitions, p<0.05.

### Predictors
Status: mixed
VO2 recovery, HR recovery, tissue saturation at exhaustion, and age related to interval tolerance.

Regression R=0.644; age adjusted r=-0.518, p<0.0001.

## Practical Insights

- Recovery capacity helps explain interval tolerance.
- Testing protocols should not be repackaged as unsupervised workouts.

## Limitations

- Acute testing only
- All female sample
- Athletes were younger than moderately active participants
- Menstrual cycle and oral contraceptive use not controlled
- NIRS and fixed-intensity prescription limitations

## Safety And Adherence

- No adverse events were reported.
- The protocol involved maximal and supramaximal treadmill testing to voluntary exhaustion with 12-lead ECG, gas exchange, HR, and NIRS monitoring.
- No dropouts were reported; participants received risk explanation and gave informed consent.

## Original Sources

- [PubMed](https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/32396576/) (pubmed)
- [DOI](https://doi.org/10.14814/phy2.14417) (doi)
- [PMC full text](https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC7217474/) (full text)

## Agent Guidance

Preserve the paper-level scope of this note. Do not generalize beyond the population, protocol, measured outcomes, and limitations above.