Effects of a Sprint Interval and Resistance Concurrent Exercise Training Program on Aerobic Capacity of Inactive Adult Women

Abstract

The purpose of this investigation was to examine the effects of high-intensity concurrent exercise training (CET) consisting of sprint intervals (SIT) and resistance exercise (RET) protocols on aerobic capacity in recreationally active, adult females. Fifty-three participants were pair-matched according to preliminary maximal aerobic capacity (VO2max) Bruce protocol assessment into level-grade (SIT0) or 6% incline (SIT6) groups. This 12-week intervention consisted of three CET sessions per week. SIT protocol consisted of 2 (weeks 1-6) then 3 (weeks 7-12) sets of three 40s sprints at specific intensities to evoke responses equivalent to 95% of age-predicted maximal heart rate (HR) interspersed with 20s of rest; with 1-minute of passive recovery between sets. An undulating periodization model consisting of lifts such as the Back Squat and Bench Press constituted the RET component. Protocol order alternated each session. Post-training revealed significant improvements in both SIT0 and SIT6 (p < 0.05) for VO2max (2.11 ± 0.390 to 2.29 ± 0.382 L•min-1; 2.03 ± 0.382 to 2.09 ± 0.561 L•min-1), Tmax (490.5 ± 102.3s to 542.7 ± 81.5s; 503.2 ± 75.4s to 541.8 ± 77.0s) and Vmax (5.1 ± 0.92MPH to 5.9 ± 0.90MPH; 4.3 ± 0.68MPH to 4.9 ± 0.64MPH) respectively. No significant between-group interactions were detected for any of the variables. Our SIT based CET intervention represents an effective strategy to induce significant cardiovascular adaptations in older women as evident by aerobic capacity improvements, beneficial to overall health and critical for functionality into old age; an important concern for aging women.

The Effect of a Sprint Interval and Resistance Training Program on Body Composition, Aerobic Fitness, and Self-regulation in Young Women

“…A meta-analysis found increments on aerobic exercise performance after a SIT program (Gist et al, 2014;Sloth et al, 2013). Interval training combined with concurrent training has shown positive effects in VO2max in young adult women (Laird et al, 2016), older women (Salom Huffman et al, 2019), as well as the SIT training alone in diverse studies (Boullosa et al, 2022;Sloth et al, 2013). Our study did not result in significant changes in VO2max, even though our subjects were not participating in a regular schedule of exercise.…”

Impact of high-intensity concurrent training on cardiovascular risk factors in persons with multiple sclerosis – pilot study

“…HICT has been shown to be an efficient strategy to improve cardiovascular fitness, aerobic capacity, body composition and muscle strength in healthy (older) adults [17,18,19]. Because persons with MS also present elevated cardiovascular risk factors [4] the present pilot study investigated the impact of an HICT intervention on several of these cardiovascular risk factors in MS. As described above and similar to our previous HIIT study 2h blood glucose, HOMA index and resting heart rate improved.…”

“…In keeping with this, we recently evaluated the impact of both moderate (24w, 5 sessions per 2 weeks, 50-70% HR max) and high intensity training (12w, 5 sessions per 2 weeks, 90-100% HR max) on various cardiovascular risk factors in MS [16] and reported substantially greater improvements in exercise capacity, muscle contractile characteristics and in glucose tolerance following 12 weeks of HIIT compared to 24 weeks of moderate intensity training [10,16]. Interestingly, in healthy subjects and compared to HIIT alone high intensity concurrent training (HICT) that combines high intense endurance and strength training has been shown to further improve body composition, muscle strength, overall health and cardiovascular fitness [17,18,19]. Consequently, in this population the combined effects of HIIT and resistance training on important cardiovascular risk factors appear to be worthwhile investigating.…”

Programas de intervención física en mujeres mayores a través del método Pilates: Una revisión sistemática (Physical intervention programs in older women trough the Pilates method: A systematic review)

“…Son variados los estudios realizados en el último año, que han comprobado los efectos beneficiosos del ejercicio físico en mujeres por encima de los 60, demostrando una relación positiva entre la actividad física y la mejora de la calidad de vida y la capacidad funcional (Huffman et al, 2019;Marcos-Pardo et al, 2019;Miranda-Aguilar et al, 2020;Panou, Giovanis, Tsougos & Angelidis, 2019;Villalobos et al, 2019;Yao & Tseng, 2019). Por tanto, las tendencias de actividad física dirigidas, empiezan a ser aceptadas por la mayoría de la población, promoviendo un aumento de la salud y la calidad de vida en las mujeres adultas mayores, que se traduce en una mejora de los parámetros de fuerza, flexibilidad, composición corporal, resistencia aeróbica o equilibrio entre otros, contribuyendo a la mejora de la estabi-lidad postural y la prevención de caídas (Castro, Gálvez, Gúzman & García, 2019;Shahrbanian, Hashemi & Hemayattalab, 2019).…”