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Short-term high-intensity interval and continuous moderate-intensity training improve maximal aerobic power and diastolic filling during exercise

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Abstract

Purpose

This study examined the effects of short-term high-intensity interval training (HIT) and continuous moderate-intensity training (CMT) on cardiac function in young, healthy men.

Methods

Sixteen previously untrained men (mean age of 25.1 ± 4.1 years) were randomly assigned to HIT and CMT (n = 8 each) and assessed before and after six sessions over a 12-day training period. HIT consisted of 8–12 intervals of cycling for 60 s at 95–100 % of pre-training maximal aerobic power (\(\dot{V}\)O2max), interspersed by 75 s of cycling at 10 % \(\dot{V}\)O2max. CMT involved 90–120 min of cycling at 65 % pre-training \(\dot{V}\)O2max. Left ventricular (LV) function was determined at rest and during submaximal exercise (heart rate ~105 bpm) using two-dimensional and Doppler echocardiography.

Results

Training resulted in increased calculated plasma volume (PV) in both groups, accompanied by improved \(\dot{V}\)O2max in HIT (HIT: from 39.5 ± 7.1 to 43.9 ± 5.5 mL kg−1 min−1; CMT: from 39.9 ± 5.9 to 41.7 ± 5.3 mL kg−1 min−1; P < 0.001). Resting LV function was not altered. However, increased exercise stroke volume (P = 0.02) and cardiac output (P = 0.02) were observed, secondary to increases in end-diastolic volume (P < 0.001). Numerous Doppler and speckle tracking indices of diastolic function were similarly enhanced during exercise in both training groups and were related to changes in PV.

Conclusion

Short-term HIT and CMT elicit rapid improvements in \(\dot{V}\)O2max and LV filling without global changes in cardiac performance at rest.

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Abbreviations

BMI:

Body mass index

BP:

Blood pressure

bpm:

Beats per minute

BV:

Blood volume

CMT:

Continuous moderate-intensity training

CO:

Cardiac output

ECG:

Electrocardiogram

EDV:

End-diastolic volume

E:

Ejection fraction

ESV:

End-systolic volume

Hct:

Hematocrit

HIT:

High-intensity interval training

HR:

Heart rate

IVSd:

Interventricular septum dimension during diastole

LV:

Left ventricle or left ventricular

LVIDd:

Internal diastolic diameter of the LV

LVIDs:

Internal systolic diameter of the LV

LVPWDd:

Left ventricular posterior wall thickness during diastole

PW:

Pulsed wave

PV:

Plasma volume

SBP/ES:

Ratio of systolic blood pressure to end-systolic volume; index of contractility

SV:

Stroke volume

TD:

Tissue Doppler imaging

\(\dot{V}\)O2max :

Maximal oxygen consumption or maximal aerobic capacity

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Acknowledgments

The authors thank Ms. Joan Persaud for her helpful technical assistance.

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Correspondence to Jack M. Goodman.

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Communicated by Carsten Lundby.

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Esfandiari, S., Sasson, Z. & Goodman, J.M. Short-term high-intensity interval and continuous moderate-intensity training improve maximal aerobic power and diastolic filling during exercise. Eur J Appl Physiol 114, 331–343 (2014). https://doi.org/10.1007/s00421-013-2773-x

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