# Affective valence predictors from real-world based short sprint interval training

PMID: 39991130
Journal: Sports medicine and health science
Published: 2025 May
Authors: Benítez-Flores S, de S Castro FA, Costa EC, Boullosa D, Astorino TA

## Question

Which physiological responses predict affective valence after real-world short sprint interval training?

## Summary

Seventeen healthy moderately active adults completed four very short sprint interval sessions using 10 x 4-second all-out running bouts. Participants reported positive post-session affect on average, completed all sessions, and the authors explicitly reported no fainting, respiratory events, nausea, dizziness, vomiting, or musculoskeletal injuries.

## Population

- Seventeen healthy moderately active Hispanic young adults
- Sample size: 17
- Age: 28.2 +/- 5.6 years
- Sex: 10 men, 7 women
- Fitness level: Moderately active; VO2max about 53-54 ml/kg/min
- Health status: Healthy

## Methodology

- Cross-sectional repeated-session observational exercise study
- Four sessions over two weeks
- Indoor basketball court

## Protocol

- Short sprint interval training.
- Modality: All-out running.
- Work intervals: 4 seconds.
- Recovery: 30 seconds passive standing.
- Sets or repetitions: 10 sprints.
- Intensity: All-out.
- Session duration: 8 min 10 s including warm-up.
- Frequency: Four sessions across two weeks.
- Program length: 2 weeks.
- Progression: None.

## Outcomes

### Affect
Status: improved
Average post-session affective valence was positive.

Feeling Scale 2.6 +/- 1.8.

### Intensity
Status: improved
Sessions reached vigorous intensity.

77-93% HRpeak; mean HR 160.3 +/- 12.8 bpm.

### Predictors
Status: mixed
HR recovery, time >=90% HRpeak, and RMSSDend predicted affect.

F(3,61)=5.57, p=0.002, adjusted R2=0.177.

### Safety
Status: no clear change
No adverse symptoms or injuries were reported.

## Practical Insights

- Very short all-out sprint bouts may produce positive affect in already active adults.
- Affect and recovery markers can be useful personalization signals.
- The total all-out work dose was only 40 seconds per session.

## Limitations

- Small sample.
- Participants were moderately active, not inactive or clinical.
- Menstrual cycle was not controlled.
- Affect was measured immediately after exercise only.
- No lactate measurement and no long-term adherence outcomes.

## Safety And Adherence

- All 17 participants completed all four sessions.
- The authors explicitly reported no fainting, respiratory events, nausea, dizziness, vomiting, or musculoskeletal injuries.
- Participants were screened to exclude cardiometabolic risk, musculoskeletal injury, pregnancy/lactation, supplements, drugs, and tobacco use.

## Original Sources

- [PubMed](https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/39991130/) (pubmed)
- [DOI](https://doi.org/10.1016/j.smhs.2024.07.003) (doi)
- [PMC full text](https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC11846446/) (full text)

## Agent Guidance

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