Comparing Perceptual Responses Between Different Modalities of Sprint Interval Training (SIT)

Although the time-efficiency and physiological benefits of SIT are well-documented, it has been criticized for eliciting adverse psychological responses in many adults, which are a potential barrier to long-term exercise adherence. To date, minimal research has studied the influence of exercise modality on perceptual responses to SIT. PURPOSE: To compare perceptual responses between different modalities of SIT in adults. METHODS: Subjects consisted of 11 healthy, non-obese men and women (age= 27±9 year, %BF=16±5%) who are physically active (PA=5±2hr). Participants initially underwent graded exercise testing to determine VO₂max and peak power output (PPO) on the arm (ACE) and leg cycle ergometer (LCE). On two separate days, subjects performed four 20-second sprints at 130% PPO at cadence between 120-130 rev/min, interspersed with 2-minute recovery on the ACE or LCE at 20% PPO. Gas exchange data, HR, and perceptual responses including affective valence (FS) and rating of perceived exertion (RPE) were obtained throughout exercise. PACES was administered post-exercise to assess overall enjoyment of each modality. Blood samples were acquired to assess changes in blood lactate concentration (BLa). RESULTS: Repeated Measures Anova showed no significant differences in affective valence (FS) (P=0.74) between exercise modalities. Although results showed no effect of mode for RPE (P=0.38), there was a significant time X mode interaction (p=0.017) and higher RPE was revealed during ACE. Mean PACES was equal to 108.5±14.3 for LCE and 105.9 ± 19.9 for ACE (P\u3e0.05). In response to LCE and ACE, BLa increased pre- to post-exercise (

Physiological and perceptual responses to sprint interval exercise using arm versus leg cycling ergometry

Increases in power output and maximal oxygen consumption (VO2max) occur in response to sprint interval exercise (SIE), but common use of “all-out” intensities presents a barrier for many adults. Furthermore, lower-body SIE is not feasible for all adults. We compared physiological and perceptual responses to supramaximal, but “non-all-out” SIE between leg and arm cycling exercise. Twenty-four active adults (mean ± SD age: [25 ± 7] y; cycling VO2max: [39 ± 7] mL·kg−1·min−1) performed incremental exercise using leg (LCE) and arm cycle ergometry (ACE) to determine VO2max and maximal work capacity (Wmax). Subsequently, they performed four 20 s (s) bouts of SIE at 130 % Wmax on the LCE or ACE at cadence = 120–130 rev/min, with 2 min (min) recovery between intervals. Gas exchange data, heart rate (HR), blood lactate concentration (BLa), rating of perceived exertion (RPE), and affective valence were acquired. Data showed significantly lower (p  0.42), and lowest affective valence recorded (2.0 ± 1.8) was considered “good to fairly good”. Data show that non “all-out” ACE elicits lower absolute but higher relative HR and VO2 compared to LCE. Less aversive perceptual responses could make this non-all-out modality feasible for inactive adults