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

PMID: 40566399
Journal: Journal of Functional Morphology and Kinesiology
Published: 2025-03-24
Authors: 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.

## Population

- Three male competitive paracyclists with cerebral palsy.
- Sample size: 3
- Age: 19-56 years
- Sex: Male only
- Fitness level: Trained competitive paracyclists
- Health status: Cerebral palsy, T1/T2 paracycling classes

## Methodology

- Quasi-experimental longitudinal pre-post study
- 6 weeks total: 1 pretest week, 4 training weeks, 1 posttest week
- Supervised cycling ergometer testing and training in Colombia

## Protocol

- Cycling HIIT.
- Modality: Cycling ergometer.
- Work intervals: 3 minutes or 30 seconds.
- Recovery: 3 minutes or 1 minute.
- Sets or repetitions: 2 x 5 long intervals and 1 x 10 short intervals across sessions.
- Intensity: 85% test power for long intervals; 100% Wingate peak power for short intervals.
- Session duration: Reported as 50 minutes.
- Frequency: 2 sessions/week.
- Program length: 4 weeks.
- Progression: Alternated long and short HIIT sessions with individualized power targets.

## Outcomes

### VO2max
Status: mixed
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.

### Peak power
Status: improved
Wingate maximum power increased by about 31%, 15%, and 9% across the three athletes.

Individual pre-post changes.

### Time trial
Status: improved
All athletes completed their time trial faster after training, improving by about 3.6% to 6.7%.

Individual pre-post changes.

## Practical 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 And Adherence

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

## Original Sources

- [PubMed](https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/40566399/) (pubmed)
- [DOI](https://doi.org/10.3390/jfmk10020102) (doi)
- [PMC full text](https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC12015823/) (full text)

## Agent Guidance

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