High intensity interval training (HIIT) has become an increasingly
popular form of exercise due to its potentially large effects
on exercise capacity and small time requirement. This study
compared the effects of two HIIT protocols vs steady-state
training on aerobic and anaerobic capacity following 8-weeks of
training. Fifty-five untrained college-aged subjects were randomly
assigned to three training groups (3x weekly). Steadystate
(n = 19) exercised (cycle ergometer) 20 minutes at 90% of
ventilatory threshold (VT). Tabata (n = 21) completed eight
intervals of 20s at 170% VO2max/10s rest. Meyer (n = 15)
completed 13 sets of 30s (20 min) @ 100% PVO2 max/ 60s
recovery, average PO = 90% VT. Each subject did 24 training
sessions during 8 weeks. Results: There were significant (p <
0.05) increases in VO2max (+19, +18 and +18%) and PPO (+17,
+24 and +14%) for each training group, as well as significant
increases in peak (+8, + 9 and +5%) & mean (+4, +7 and +6%)
power during Wingate testing, but no significant differences
between groups. Measures of the enjoyment of the training
program indicated that the Tabata protocol was significantly less
enjoyable (p < 0.05) than the steady state and Meyer protocols,
and that the enjoyment of all protocols declined (p < 0.05)
across the duration of the study. The results suggest that although
HIIT protocols are time efficient, they are not superior to
conventional exercise training in sedentary young adults.