PMID 33344930

Research
All papers

Sustained Muscle Deoxygenation vs. Sustained High VO(2) During High-Intensity Interval Training in Sprint Canoe-Kayak

Paquette M, Bieuzen F, Billaut F

Question

Which canoe/kayak ergometer interval format best sustains high VO2 and which best sustains high muscle deoxygenation in trained sprint canoe-kayak athletes?

Summary

In well-trained canoe-kayak athletes, short 15 s and 30 s intervals produced the most time near VO2max, while 30 s all-out sprint intervals produced the greatest and most sustained muscle deoxygenation. The study compared acute physiological responses, not training adaptations.

Methodology

  • Thirteen well-trained canoe-kayak athletes, 9 kayakers and 4 canoeists, including national and provincial-level athletes, mean age 22 years, range 19-27.
  • 13 participants.
  • Canoe or kayak ergometer.
  • Work intervals: 6 x 30 s all-out.
  • Recovery: 3 min 30 s passive rest or slow paddling by choice.
  • Intensity: All-out.
  • About 21 min including work and recovery periods.
  • Single acute session among crossover conditions.
  • Acute crossover.
  • Randomized-order acute crossover study
  • Time above 90% and 95% VO2max, Time above 90% and 95% maximal cardiac output and HRmax, Muscle oxygen saturation in latissimus dorsi, biceps brachii, and vastus lateralis, and Time above 90% and 95% maximal deoxygenation were tracked.

Outcomes

High VO2 time

HIIT-15 and HIIT-30 produced longer time above 90% VO2max than SIT, while HIIT-60 was intermediate.

Mixed

Muscle deoxygenation

SIT and HIIT-60 produced the lowest vastus lateralis SmO2, and SIT produced the longest time near maximal deoxygenation across the measured muscles.

Mixed

Training adaptation

No chronic performance or fitness adaptation was tested.

Unclear

Insights

  • Short 15-30 s intervals are better suited to maximizing time near VO2max in this canoe/kayak setting.
  • All-out 30 s SIT is better suited to maximizing peripheral muscle deoxygenation.
  • Programming can separate central-cardiorespiratory and peripheral-muscle stimulus goals.

Limitations

  • Acute response only; no training adaptation or performance follow-up.
  • Small sample of trained athletes.
  • Canoe and kayak athletes were analyzed together despite movement differences.
  • Intervals were not matched for duration or energy expenditure.
  • The abstract and Table 1 differ on the HIIT-15/30 target intensity.

Safety

  • No adverse events were reported. Athletes were instructed to avoid intense exercise for 24 h before sessions.