Impact of High Intensity Interval Training Versus Moderate Intensity Continuous Training on Critical Power

Authors

Jessica Collins, Brigham Young UniversityFollow
Olivia LeachFollow
Abigail DorffFollow
Jessica LindeFollow
Jason KofoedFollow
Megan ShermanFollow
Meagan ProffitFollow
Jaron QuiranteFollow
Kiese MpongoFollow
Jayson GiffordFollow

Abstract

Critical Power (P_CRIT) is the greatest power that a person can sustain for prolonged periods of time while maintaining steady-state, submaximal aerobic conditions. Work-prime (W’) is the amount of work that can be tolerated when exercising in non-steady-state conditions above P_CRIT. PURPOSE: Compare the effect of equal amounts of moderate intensity continuous training (MICT) and high intensity interval training (HIIT) on P_CRIT and W’. METHODS: Twenty-two (10 female) untrained, young adults completed 8 weeks of cycling training (40 minutes, 3x per week) administered as either MICT (44% max power achieved during a graded exercise test; P_GXT) or HIIT (4 bouts at 80% P_GXT for 4 minutes with recovery intervals between). P_CRIT, W’ and other physiological variables were determined before and after training. RESULTS: P_CRIT significantly increased in both groups, but to a greater extent in the HIIT group (MICT: 15.7 ± 3.1% vs. HIIT: 27.5 ± 4.3%; P=0.04). W’ was not consistently impacted by training (P=0.76). The training-induced change in P_CRIT was not significantly related to the training-induced change in V̇O_2MAX. The training-induced increase in P_CRIT was related to how intense the training was relative to P_CRIT, with those performing the same workout at a greater % P_CRIT exhibiting greater training-induced increases in P_CRIT (R²=0.49, PCONCLUSION: HIIT elicits approximately twice the increase in P_CRIT than an equal amount of MICT in untrained young adults. Training-induced increases in P_CRIT are not dependent upon changes in V̇O_2MAX. Exercise may be more effectively prescribed and described relative to P_CRIT, rather than V̇O_2MAX or P_GXT.

Recommended Citation

Collins, Jessica; Leach, Olivia; Dorff, Abigail; Linde, Jessica; Kofoed, Jason; Sherman, Megan; Proffit, Meagan; Quirante, Jaron; Mpongo, Kiese; and Gifford, Jayson (2021) "Impact of High Intensity Interval Training Versus Moderate Intensity Continuous Training on Critical Power," International Journal of Exercise Science: Conference Proceedings: Vol. 14: Iss. 1, Article 20.
Available at: https://digitalcommons.wku.edu/ijesab/vol14/iss1/20