PMID 40566399

Research
All papers

Effect of 4 Weeks of High-Intensity Interval Training (HIIT) on VO(2)max, Anaerobic Power, and Specific Performance in Cyclists with Cerebral Palsy

Lasso-Quilindo CA, Chalapud-Narvaez LM, Garcia-Chaves DC, Cristi-Montero C, Yañez-Sepulveda R

Question

Does 4 weeks of individualized cycling HIIT improve VO2max, anaerobic power, and cycling performance in paracyclists with cerebral palsy?

Summary

In three male Paralympic cyclists with cerebral palsy, 4 weeks of supervised cycling HIIT was associated with better anaerobic power and time-trial performance, while VO2max improved in two of three athletes. The study was very small, uncontrolled, and athlete-specific.

Methodology

  • Three male competitive paracyclists with cerebral palsy.
  • 3 participants.
  • Cycling ergometer.
  • Work intervals: 3 minutes or 30 seconds.
  • Recovery: 3 minutes or 1 minute.
  • Intensity: 85% test power for long intervals; 100% Wingate peak power for short intervals.
  • Reported as 50 minutes.
  • 2 sessions/week.
  • 4 weeks.
  • Quasi-experimental longitudinal pre-post study
  • Estimated VO2max, Anaerobic power, and Time trial were tracked.

Outcomes

VO2max

Estimated VO2max improved 7.0% and 9.4% in two athletes, with no improvement in one athlete.

Individual pre-post changes; no group inferential test suitable for n=3.

Mixed

Peak power

Wingate maximum power increased by about 31%, 15%, and 9% across the three athletes.

Individual pre-post changes.

Improved

Time trial

All athletes completed their time trial faster after training, improving by about 3.6% to 6.7%.

Individual pre-post changes.

Improved

Insights

  • Short cycling HIIT blocks may improve performance in highly trained adaptive sport athletes.
  • Power targets should be individualized when capacity and impairment profiles differ substantially.
  • RPE and heart-rate checks are important when translating high-intensity work to special populations.

Limitations

  • Only three participants.
  • No control group or randomization.
  • All participants were male competitive paracyclists.
  • VO2max was estimated, not directly validated for cerebral palsy paracyclists.
  • The intervention lasted only 4 weeks.

Safety

  • No adverse effects were reported during or after the intervention.
  • Heart rate and RPE were monitored to manage internal load.