Adaptations to 4-s Sprint Interval Training at Different Intensities

March 28, 2025 updated by: University of Texas at Austin

The Physiological Adaptations to 4-s Sprint Interval Training at Different Intensities of Maximal Power

The purpose of this study is to investigate the chronic effects (i.e., 8 weeks, 3 times per week) of training at 50% and 75% of maximal power with 4-s sprint interval training on physiological adaptations. We previously examined the effect of training with an all-out intensity (i.e., 100% of maximal power) and reported increases in cardiorespiratory fitness. Now, we propose to examine the effects of a lower exercise intensity domains on cardiovascular fitness and its ability to stimulate the cardiorespiratory system. We hypothesize that training at 50% and 75% of maximal power will improve cardiorespiratory fitness similar to our previous findings while reducing the rate of perceived exertion during the exercise session. It is anticipated that the group engaged in training at 75% of maximal power will experience greater improvements in comparison to the group training at 50%.

Study Overview

Status

Completed

Conditions

Intervention / Treatment

Detailed Description

Background Sprint interval training (SIT) is a well-established method for improving cardiovascular and anaerobic performance. While most research focuses on all-out efforts, less is known about the effects of submaximal sprint intensities on these adaptations. This study examined how training at 50%, 75%, and all-out (85%) of maximal anaerobic power (Pmax) influences aerobic capacity and anaerobic power over an 8-week training period.

Methods

Participants: 24 recreationally active adults (12 females, 12 males) were randomly assigned to one of three training groups:

50% Pmax

75% Pmax

All-out (85% Pmax)

Training Protocol: Participants completed three sessions per week for eight weeks. Each session consisted of thirty 4-second sprints on a cycling ergometer, totaling 10 minutes per session.

Measurements: Peak oxygen consumption (VO₂peak) and maximal anaerobic power (Pmax) were assessed before and after the training program.

Study Type

Interventional

Enrollment (Actual)

24

Phase

  • Not Applicable

Contacts and Locations

This section provides the contact details for those conducting the study, and information on where this study is being conducted.

Study Locations

  • United States
    • Texas
      • Austin, Texas, United States, 78712
        • Human Performance Laboratory, Department of Kinesiology and Health Education, the University of Texas at Austin

Participation Criteria

Researchers look for people who fit a certain description, called eligibility criteria. Some examples of these criteria are a person's general health condition or prior treatments.

Eligibility Criteria

Ages Eligible for Study

  • Adult

Accepts Healthy Volunteers

Yes

Description

Inclusion Criteria:

  • Young (18-30),
  • Healthy,
  • Recreationally active, but untrained (not meeting ACSM's recommendations of 150 min/week of moderate-vigorous aerobic exercise)

Exclusion Criteria:

  • Cardiovascular disease
  • Smoking
  • Subjects who were exercising regularly (>75 min/week) were excluded.

Study Plan

This section provides details of the study plan, including how the study is designed and what the study is measuring.

How is the study designed?

Design Details

  • Primary Purpose: Treatment
  • Allocation: Randomized
  • Interventional Model: Parallel Assignment
  • Masking: None (Open Label)

Arms and Interventions

Participant Group / Arm
Intervention / Treatment
Active Comparator: Training group 50% Pmax
Behavioral: Preventive treatment
4-second Sprint Interval Training (SIT) over 8 weeks to improve cardiovascular health.
Experimental: Training group 75% Pmax
Behavioral: Preventive treatment
4-second Sprint Interval Training (SIT) over 8 weeks to improve cardiovascular health.
Experimental: Training group All-out Pmax
Behavioral: Preventive treatment
4-second Sprint Interval Training (SIT) over 8 weeks to improve cardiovascular health.

What is the study measuring?

Primary Outcome Measures

Outcome Measure
Time Frame
Peak oxygen consumption
Time Frame: From enrollment to the end of treatment at 8 weeks
From enrollment to the end of treatment at 8 weeks

Secondary Outcome Measures

Outcome Measure
Time Frame
Maximal anaerobic power
Time Frame: From enrollment to the end of treatment at 8 weeks
From enrollment to the end of treatment at 8 weeks

Collaborators and Investigators

This is where you will find people and organizations involved with this study.

Sponsor

University of Texas at Austin

Study record dates

These dates track the progress of study record and summary results submissions to ClinicalTrials.gov. Study records and reported results are reviewed by the National Library of Medicine (NLM) to make sure they meet specific quality control standards before being posted on the public website.

Study Major Dates

Study Start (Actual)

October 30, 2023

Primary Completion (Actual)

October 2, 2024

Study Completion (Actual)

October 2, 2024

Study Registration Dates

First Submitted

March 24, 2025

First Submitted That Met QC Criteria

March 28, 2025

First Posted (Actual)

April 2, 2025

Study Record Updates

Last Update Posted (Actual)

April 2, 2025

Last Update Submitted That Met QC Criteria

March 28, 2025

Last Verified

March 1, 2025

More Information

Terms related to this study

Keywords

Other Study ID Numbers

  • STUDY00004970

Drug and device information, study documents

Studies a U.S. FDA-regulated drug product

No

Studies a U.S. FDA-regulated device product

No

This information was retrieved directly from the website clinicaltrials.gov without any changes. If you have any requests to change, remove or update your study details, please contact register@clinicaltrials.gov. As soon as a change is implemented on clinicaltrials.gov, this will be updated automatically on our website as well.

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