The effect of constant-intensity endurance training and high-intensity interval training on aerobic and anaerobic parameters in youth

ABSTRACT

Introduction: High-Intensity Interval Training (HIIT) and Constant-Intensity Endurance Training (CIET) improves peak oxygen uptake (V̇O₂) similarly in adults; but in children this remains unclear, as does the influence of maturity. Methods: Thirty-seven boys formed three groups: HIIT (football; n = 14; 14.3 ± 3.1 years), CIET (distance runners; n = 12; 13.1 ± 2.5 years) and a control (CON) group (n = 11; 13.7 ± 3.2 years). Peak V̇O₂ and gas exchange threshold (GET) were determined from a ramp test and anaerobic performance using a 30 m sprint pre-and-post a three-month training cycle. Results: The HIIT groups peak V̇O₂ was significantly higher than the CON group pre (peak V̇O₂: 2.54 ± 0.63 l·min^-1 vs 2.03 ± 0.53 l·min^-1, d = 0.88; GET: 1.41 ± 0.26 l·min^-1 vs 1.13 ± 0.29 l·min^-1, d = 1.02) and post-training (peak V̇O₂: 2.63 ± 0.73 l·min^-1 vs 2.08 ± 0.64 l·min^-1, d = 0.80; GET: 1.32 ± 0.33 l·min^-1 vs 1.15 ± 0.38 l·min^-1, d = 0.48). All groups showed a similar magnitude of change during the training (p > 0.05). Conclusion: HIIT was not superior to CIET for improving aerobic or anaerobic parameters in adolescents. Secondly, pre- and post-pubertal participants demonstrated similar trainability.

KEYWORDS:

• Peak V̇O₂
• maturity
• adolescence
• peak power
• pre-pubertal
• pubertal

Acknowledgments

The researchers would like to thank the participants and their parents/guardians for taking the time to participate in the study. Secondly, the researchers would like to thank the coaches for training the intervention groups over the three-month period.

Disclosure statement

No potential conflict of interest was reported by the authors.