Individual patterns of response to traditional and modified sprint interval training

ABSTRACT

We compared the incidence of response between a traditional sprint interval training (SIT) protocol (30:240: 4–6 x 30-s, 240-s recovery) and 2 modified SIT protocols (15:120: 8–12 x 15-s, 120-s recovery; 5:40: 24–36 x 5-s, 40-s recovery) over 4 weeks of training in 84 recreationally active individuals (n = 23 per SIT group/15 control participants). Pre- and post-testing measures included $\stackrel{.}{V}$ O_2max, 5-km time trial, and anaerobic capacity. Responders were classified using 2x typical error and seven other approaches to explore the impact of classification method on response rates. There was no difference in the proportion (2x typical error) of $\stackrel{.}{V}$O_2max responders across groups (30:240: 64%; 15:120: 39%; 5:40: 41%; CTRL: 33%; P= 0.190). The 30:240 group had more responders (P< 0.05) for time trial performance (70%) and peak speed during the 30 s running test (48%) compared to CTRL (21% and 0%, respectively). There were no other between-group differences (P> 0.112). Approaches with the largest response thresholds resulted in the fewest responders highlighting response rates are influenced by the method used. Additionally, we observed intra-individual differences in responsiveness across outcomes. This is the first study to empirically test the difference in the incidence of response and demonstrate individual patterns of response across different SIT protocols.

KEYWORDS:

• $V$O_2max
• responder
• high-intensity interval training
• individual response
• typical error

Disclosure statement

No potential conflict of interest was reported by the authors.

Supplementary data

Supplemental data for this article can be accessed online https://doi.org/10.1080/02640414.2020.1857507

Additional information

Funding

Currently, J.T. Bonafiglia holds a NSERC Vanier Canada Graduate Scholarship (Doctoral), G.L. McKie holds a NSERC Canada Graduate Scholarship (Doctoral), H. Islam holds a NSERC post-doctoral fellowship (PDF), and L.K. Townsend holds a CIHR PDF. H. Islam and L.K. Townsend were previously supported by NSERC Post-Graduate Scholarships (Doctoral), and S.F. McCarthy was previously supported by a Canadian Institutes of Health Research Canada Graduate Scholarship (Masters). G.L. McKie, S.F. McCarthy, and L.K. Townsend were also previously supported by Ontario Graduate Scholarships (Masters).