Sprint Interval Training in Young Sedentary Adults (SIT)

May 19, 2026 updated by: Sezer Taştan

Effects of Sprint Interval Training on Cardiovascular Capacity and VO2max in Young Sedentary Adults: A Randomized Controlled Trial

This randomized controlled trial evaluated the effects of a 6-week supervised sprint interval training program on cardiorespiratory fitness in healthy sedentary young adults. Forty participants aged 20 to 25 years were randomly assigned to either a sprint interval training group or a control group. The sprint interval training group completed supervised cycle-ergometer sessions three times per week for 6 weeks, while the control group maintained their usual sedentary routine. The primary outcome was maximal oxygen uptake (VO2max). Secondary outcomes included resting heart rate and 6-minute walk test distance. The study aimed to determine whether a short-term, time-efficient sprint interval training program could improve cardiovascular capacity and functional exercise performance in sedentary young adults.

Study Overview

Status

Completed

Conditions

Intervention / Treatment

Detailed Description

This study was designed as a randomized controlled pre-test and post-test intervention study. Healthy sedentary adults aged 20 to 25 years were enrolled after ethics approval and written informed consent. Participants were randomly allocated in a 1:1 ratio to either a supervised sprint interval training group or a control group.

The sprint interval training group performed supervised exercise sessions on a cycle ergometer three times per week for 6 weeks. Each session included a 5-minute warm-up, followed by repeated 30-second all-out sprint bouts with active recovery periods. The number of sprint repetitions was progressively increased during the intervention period. The control group maintained their usual sedentary lifestyle and did not receive an additional exercise program.

Outcome measurements were performed before and after the intervention. The primary outcome was VO2max, assessed using a maximal exercise test on a cycle ergometer with respiratory gas analysis. Secondary outcomes were resting heart rate and 6-minute walk test distance. Adherence and adverse events were monitored throughout the study period.

Study Type

Interventional

Enrollment (Actual)

40

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

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:

  • Aged 20-25 years
  • Healthy sedentary adult
  • Engaging in less than 150 minutes/week of moderate-to-vigorous physical activity
  • IPAQ score below 600 MET-min/week or not participating in a regular exercise program
  • Willing to provide written informed consent

Exclusion Criteria:

  • History of cardiovascular, pulmonary, or metabolic disease, such as hypertension or diabetes
  • Musculoskeletal injury or orthopedic condition preventing exercise participation
  • Pregnancy or breastfeeding
  • Smoking
  • Regular medication use

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: Other
  • Allocation: Randomized
  • Interventional Model: Parallel Assignment
  • Masking: None (Open Label)

Arms and Interventions

Participant Group / Arm
Intervention / Treatment
Experimental: Sprint Interval Training Group
Participants in this group completed supervised sprint interval training sessions on a cycle ergometer three times per week for 6 weeks.
Behavioral: Sprint Interval Training
The sprint interval training intervention consisted of supervised cycle-ergometer sessions performed three times per week for 6 weeks. Each session included a 5-minute warm-up at 50% VO2max, followed by 4 to 6 repetitions of 30-second all-out sprint bouts on a Monark 894E cycle ergometer, with 4-minute active recovery periods between sprints. The number of sprint repetitions was progressively increased from 4 repetitions in the first two weeks to 6 repetitions in the following four weeks.
Other Names:
  • SIT
No Intervention: Control Group
Participants in this group maintained their usual sedentary routine and did not receive an additional exercise program during the study period.

What is the study measuring?

Primary Outcome Measures

Outcome Measure
Measure Description
Time Frame
Change in Maximal Oxygen Uptake (VO2max)
Time Frame: Baseline and 6 weeks
VO2max was assessed using a maximal exercise test on a cycle ergometer with breath-by-breath respiratory gas analysis. VO2max values were recorded in ml/kg/min before and after the 6-week intervention.
Baseline and 6 weeks

Secondary Outcome Measures

Outcome Measure
Measure Description
Time Frame
Change in Resting Heart Rate
Time Frame: Baseline and 6 weeks
Resting heart rate was measured in the morning after 10 minutes of seated rest using a heart rate monitor. Values were recorded in beats per minute before and after the 6-week intervention.
Baseline and 6 weeks
Change in 6-Minute Walk Test Distance
Time Frame: Baseline and 6 weeks
Functional exercise capacity was assessed using the 6-minute walk test. The total distance covered in 6 minutes was recorded in meters before and after the 6-week intervention.
Baseline and 6 weeks

Collaborators and Investigators

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

Sponsor

Sezer Taştan

Investigators

  • Principal Investigator: Sezer Taştan, phD, Ankara Demirspor

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)

March 11, 2026

Primary Completion (Actual)

April 22, 2026

Study Completion (Actual)

April 22, 2026

Study Registration Dates

First Submitted

May 13, 2026

First Submitted That Met QC Criteria

May 13, 2026

First Posted (Actual)

May 19, 2026

Study Record Updates

Last Update Posted (Actual)

May 22, 2026

Last Update Submitted That Met QC Criteria

May 19, 2026

Last Verified

May 1, 2026

More Information

Terms related to this study

Keywords

Additional Relevant MeSH Terms

Other Study ID Numbers

  • ST-SIT-VO2MAX-2026

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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