Effects of high-intensity interval training and resistance training on physiological parameters and performance of well-trained runners: A randomized controlled trial

ABSTRACT

This study aimed to verify the effects of 4 weeks of high-intensity interval training (HIIT), heavy (HRT) and explosive (ERT) resistance training on aerobic, anaerobic and neuromuscular parameters and performance of well-trained runners. Twenty-six male athletes were divided into HIIT (n = 10), HRT (n = 7) and ERT (n = 9) groups. Maximal oxygen uptake ($\mathit{V}{O}_{2}max$) and the corresponding velocity ($\mathit{vV}{O}_{2}max$), anaerobic threshold (AT), running economy (RE), oxygen uptake kinetics, lower-body strength (1RM) and power (CMJ), and the 1500m and 5000m time-trial (TT) were determined. Improvements were observed in $\mathit{vV}{O}_{2}max$ (mean difference (Δ): 2.6%; effect size (ES): 0.63) with HIIT, while AT was incresead in ERT (Δ: 4.3%; ES: 0.73) and HRT (Δ: 6.9%; ES: 0.72) groups. The CMJ performance was increased in ERT (Δ: 13.8%; ES: 1.03), HRT (Δ: 6.9%; ES: 0.55) and HIIT (Δ: 5.4%; ES: 0.34), whereas 1RM increase in HRT (Δ: 38.1%; ES: 1.21) and ERT (Δ: 49.2%; ES: 0.96) groups. HIIT improved the 1500m (Δ: −2.3%; ES: −0.62) and both HRT (Δ: −1.6%; ES: −0.32) and ERT (Δ: −1.7%; ES: −0.31) the 5000m TT. Despite performance adaptations were dependent on the training characteristics, both RT and HIIT model constitute an alternative for training periodization.

KEYWORDS:

• Aerobic exercise
• resistance exercise
• explosive exercise
• oxygen uptake kinetics
• sport performance

Acknowledgments

The authors would like to acknowledge the athletes for their participation.

Disclosure statement

No potential conflict of interest was reported by the author(s).

Additional information

Funding

This work was supported by Coordenação de Aperfeiçoamento de Pessoal de Nível Superior – Brasil (CAPES) – Finance code 001. Dr. Paulo Cesar do Nascimento Salvador also acknowledge the support by grants from CNPq, Conselho Nacional de Desenvolvimento Científico e Tecnológico – Brasil [154191/2018-3].