# High-Intensity Interval Training for Rowing: Acute Responses in National-Level Adolescent Males

PMID: 35805789
Journal: International Journal of Environmental Research and Public Health
Published: 2022 Jul 2
Authors: Faelli E, Panascì M, Ferrando V, Codella R, Bisio A, Ruggeri P

## Question

How do long-interval and short-interval rowing HIIT sessions differ in acute cardiometabolic, perceptual, and performance responses in trained adolescent rowers?

## Summary

In 10 national-level adolescent male rowers, a randomized crossover comparison found that 4 x 4 minute rowing HIIT produced higher oxygen uptake, time near VO2max, heart-rate response, lactate, perceived exertion, and distance than 25 x 30 second intervals, while the short-interval protocol produced higher peak power. All athletes completed the acute sessions without complications.

## Population

- National-level adolescent male rowers with at least 3 years of national competition experience.
- Sample size: 10
- Age: 15.67 +/- 0.22 years
- Sex: Male
- Fitness level: Highly trained national-level adolescent rowers
- Health status: Apparently healthy athletes without recent muscle or joint injuries or exercise contraindications

## Methodology

- Randomized crossover acute exercise study
- Three laboratory visits separated by 1 week
- Laboratory rowing ergometer testing in the preseason
- Randomized and controlled study design.

## Protocol

- Long-interval rowing HIIT.
- Modality: Concept2 rowing ergometer.
- Work intervals: 4 minutes.
- Recovery: 3 minutes active recovery.
- Sets or repetitions: 4 work intervals with 3 recovery intervals.
- Intensity: Work at power corresponding to 90% of maximal aerobic power; recovery at 30% of maximal aerobic power.
- Session duration: 25 minutes of intervals, plus 15-minute warm-up and 5-minute cool-down.
- Frequency: One acute session.
- Program length: Single-session acute protocol.
- Progression: No progression; acute crossover comparison.
- Short-interval rowing HIIT.
- Modality: Concept2 rowing ergometer.
- Work intervals: 30 seconds.
- Recovery: 30 seconds active recovery.
- Sets or repetitions: 25 repetitions.
- Intensity: Work at 100% of maximal aerobic power; recovery at 20% of maximal aerobic power.
- Session duration: 25 minutes of intervals, plus 15-minute warm-up and 5-minute cool-down.
- Frequency: One acute session.
- Program length: Single-session acute protocol.
- Progression: No progression; acute crossover comparison.

## Outcomes

### Main reported result
Status: mixed
Long-interval HIIT produced significantly higher VO2, time near 90% VO2max, total VO2, total distance, RPE, lactate, and heart-rate responses than short-interval HIIT.

### Main reported result
Status: mixed
Short-interval HIIT produced significantly higher peak power output than long-interval HIIT.

### Main reported result
Status: unclear
Reported peak VO2 responses were about 97% of VO2max for long intervals and 90% for short intervals.

### Main reported result
Status: unclear
The long-interval session produced very high lactate responses, above 14 mmol/L, compared with moderate responses above 6 mmol/L after short intervals.

## Practical Insights

- For trained rowers, 4-minute intervals may better accumulate time near VO2max than repeated 30-second intervals.
- Short 30-second rowing intervals may be useful when the desired acute target is peak power rather than total oxygen uptake.
- The physiological load of 4 x 4 minute rowing HIIT is very high and should not be generalized to untrained adolescents.

## Limitations

- Very small sample.
- Acute physiology study with no training adaptation follow-up.
- Mean workload differed between protocols, limiting direct comparability.
- RPE and lactate were collected after session completion rather than during the protocols.

## Safety And Adherence

- The protocol was generally well tolerated; all participants completed testing without complications, dizziness, lightheadedness, or nausea.

## Original Sources

- [PubMed](https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/35805789/) (pubmed)
- [DOI](https://doi.org/10.3390/ijerph19138132) (doi)
- [PMC full text](https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC9265424/) (full text)

## Agent Guidance

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