Sprint Interval Training Effects on Aerobic Capacity: A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis

• Published in: Sports medicine (Auckland) 2014-02, Vol.44 (2), p.269-279
• Main Authors: Gist, Nicholas H., Fedewa, Michael V., Dishman, Rod K., Cureton, Kirk J.
• Format: Article
• Language: English
• Subjects: Adaptation, Physiological; Adult; Databases, Bibliographic; Exercise; Exercise Tolerance - physiology; Female; Humans; Male; Maximal Voluntary Ventilation - physiology; Medicine; Medicine & Public Health; Muscle, Skeletal - physiology; Older people; Oxygen Consumption - physiology; Physical Endurance - physiology; Physical fitness; Running - physiology; Sports Medicine; Studies; Systematic Review; Young Adult
• ISSN: 0112-1642; 1179-2035
• DOI: 10.1007/s40279-013-0115-0

Background Sprint interval training (SIT) involving repeated 30-s “all out” efforts have resulted in significantly improved skeletal muscle oxidative capacity, maximal oxygen uptake, and endurance performance. The positive impact of SIT on cardiorespiratory fitness has far-reaching health implications. Objective The objective of this study was to perform a systematic review of the literature and meta-analysis to determine the effects of SIT on aerobic capacity. Methods A search of the literature was conducted using the key words ‘sprint interval training’, ‘high intensity intermittent training/exercise’, ‘aerobic capacity’, and ‘maximal oxygen uptake’. Seventeen effects were analyzed from 16 randomized controlled trials of 318 participants. The mean ± standard deviation number of participants was 18.7 ± 5.1. Participant age was 23.5 ± 4.3 years. Results The effect size calculated for all studies indicates that supramaximal-intensity SIT has a small-to-moderate effect (Cohen’s d  = 0.32, 95 % CI 0.10–0.55; z  = 2.79, P