LOW-VOLUME HIGH-INTENSITY INTERVAL TRAINING SESSIONS WITH DIFFERENT WORK-RECOVERY DURATIONS AND MUSCLE DAMAGE IN TRAINED MALES
Keywords: Exercise, interval training, low-volume training, DOMS.
Introduction: Low-volume high-intensity interval training (LV-HIIT) has been considered a time-efficient approach to improve health and fitness. LV-HIIT protocols with different work-recovery durations elicit dissimilar physiological responses and perceived exertion. However, studies investigating the effect of LV-HIIT sessions with different work-recovery durations on markers of exercise-induced muscle damage are scarce, especially in non-athletes. Objective: To compare the effect of LV-HIIT sessions with different work-recovery durations on muscle damage markers in trained males. Methods: Twenty-four participants (22.3 ± 2.9 years; 24.6 ± 2.7 kg∙m-2) performed two LV-HIIT sessions (10 x 60 s and 20 x 30 s at 100% of maximal aerobic speed on treadmill (Vmax) interspersed with equal time passive recovery, respectively) in a randomized, counter-balanced order, separated by a 1-week interval. Delayed onset muscle soreness (DOMS) and countermovement vertical jump height (CVJH) performance were assessed before, and 24-h and 48-h post sessions. Pressure-pain threshold (PPT), pressure-pain tolerance (PPTol) and perceived pain intensity (PPI) using pressure algometry assessed DOMS in the rectus rectus femoris, biceps femoris and gastroctemius. Results: A non-significant session by time interaction for PPT, PPTol and PPI in all muscles analyzed was observed (all P > 0.260). Additionally, a non-significant session by time interaction was observed for CVJH performance (P = 0.836). Conclusions: LV-HIIT sessions with different work-recovery durations elicited nonsignificant changes on muscle damage markers following 24- and 48-h in trained males.