A1 Journal article (refereed)
Physiological, Perceptual, and Performance Responses to the 2-Week Block of High- versus Low-Intensity Endurance Training (2022)

Nuuttila, O.-P., Nummela, A., Kyröläinen, H., Laukkanen, J., & Häkkinen, K. (2022). Physiological, Perceptual, and Performance Responses to the 2-Week Block of High- versus Low-Intensity Endurance Training. Medicine and Science in Sports and Exercise, 54(5), 851-860. https://doi.org/10.1249/mss.0000000000002861

JYU authors or editors

Nuuttila, Olli-Pekka
Kyröläinen, Heikki
Häkkinen, Keijo

Publication details

All authors or editors: Nuuttila, Olli-Pekka; Nummela, Ari; Kyröläinen, Heikki; Laukkanen, Jari; Häkkinen, Keijo

Journal or series: Medicine and Science in Sports and Exercise

ISSN: 0195-9131

eISSN: 1530-0315

Publication year: 2022

Publication date: 21/01/2022

Volume: 54

Issue number: 5

Pages range: 851-860

Publisher: Lippincott Williams & Wilkins

Publication country: United States

Publication language: English

DOI: https://doi.org/10.1249/mss.0000000000002861

Publication open access: Openly available

Publication channel open access: Partially open access channel

Publication is parallel published (JYX): https://jyx.jyu.fi/handle/123456789/79552

Abstract

Purpose
This study examined the physiological, perceptual, and performance responses to a 2-week block of increased training load and compared whether responses differ between high-intensity interval (HIIT) and low-intensity (LIT) endurance training.

Methods
Thirty recreationally trained males and females performed a two-week block of 10 HIIT-sessions (INT, n = 15) or 70 % increased volume of LIT (VOL, n = 15). Running time in the 3000 m and basal serum and urine hormone concentrations were measured before (T1) and after the block (T2), and after a recovery week (T3). In addition, weekly averages of nocturnal heart rate variability (HRV) and perceived recovery were compared to the baseline.

Results
Both groups improved their running time in the 3000 m from T1 to T2 (INT -1.8 ± 1.6 %, p = 0.003; VOL -1.4 ± 1.7 %, p = 0.017) and T1 to T3 (INT -2.5 ± 1.6 %, p < 0.001; VOL -2.2 ± 1.9 %, p = 0.001). Resting norepinephrine concentration increased in INT from T1 to T2 (p = 0.01) and remained elevated at T3 (p = 0.018). The change in HRV from the baseline was different between the groups during the first week (INT -1.0 ± 2.0 % vs. VOL 1.8 ± 3.2 %, p = 0.008). Muscle soreness increased only in INT (p < 0.001) and the change was different compared to VOL across the block and recovery weeks (p < 0.05).

Conclusions
HIIT and LIT blocks increased endurance performance in a short period of time. Although both protocols seemed to be tolerable for recreational athletes, a HIIT-block may induce some negative responses such as increased muscle soreness and decreased parasympathetic activity.

Keywords: running; endurance training; interval training; heart rate training; training response; noradrenaline

Free keywords: block periodization; running; endurance performance; heart rate variability; norepinephrine; muscle soreness

Fields of science: