Physiological and Perceptual Responses During 4-Second Exercise

Not Applicable

Completed

• Conditions: Cardiovascular Fitness

• Registration Number: NCT06912932
• Lead Sponsor: University of Texas at Austin

Brief Summary

The purpose of this study is to investigate the acute effects of different intensities (i.e., 50, 75, and 100% of maximal anaerobic power) of 4-s sprint interval exercise on physiological responses. Secondly, it will determine the relationship between intensity and recovery duration (i.e., 15, 30, or 45-s) that will stimulate the cardiovascular and metabolic systems.

Detailed Description

Background Short sprint interval training (sSIT) is typically performed at maximal intensity, generating power far above what is needed to reach peak oxygen consumption (VO₂peak). However, the physiological effects of submaximal sprint intensities and different recovery periods are not well understood.

Study Aim This study examined how power output and oxygen consumption (VO₂) respond to repeated 4-second sprints at 50%, 75%, and 100% of maximal power (Pmax) with rest periods of 15, 30, or 45 seconds.

Methods Eleven recreationally active participants completed nine trials, each consisting of thirty 4-second cycling sprints under different intensity and recovery conditions.

Study Timeline

• Study Start: 2023-04-04
• Primary Completion: 2024-10-02
• Study Completion: 2024-10-02
• Status Verified: 2025-03
• Study First Submitted: 2025-03-24
• Study First Submitted QC: 2025-03-28
• Last Update Submitted: 2025-03-28
• Study First Posted: 2025-04-06
• Last Update Posted: 2025-04-06

Recruitment & Eligibility

• Status: COMPLETED
• Sex: All
• Target Recruitment: 11

Inclusion Criteria

• Young (18-30),
• Healthy,
• Recreationally active, but untrained (not meeting ACSM's recommendations of 150 min/week of moderate-vigorous aerobic exercise)

Exclusion Criteria

• Cardiovascular disease
• Smoking
• Subjects who were exercising regularly (>75 min/week) were excluded.

Study & Design

• Study Type: INTERVENTIONAL
• Study Design: CROSSOVER

Primary Outcome Measures

Name	Time	Method
Cardiovascular changes	From enrollment (Day 1) to the end of treatment (9 trials) (Day 11), through study completion, an average of 5 weeks.	The %VO2peak associated with repeated submaximal power sprints (%Pmax), particularly when paired with varying rest periods, remains unknown. The aim of this study was to systematically investigate the cardiovascular changes for better exercise programming, measured in mL/min/kg.

Trial Locations

Locations (1)

Human Performance Laboratory, Department of Kinesiology and Health Education, the University of Texas at Austin; 🇺🇸 Austin, Texas, United States