Reduced Exertion High Intensity Interval Training (REHIT) on the Rowing Ergometer Elicits Lower Blood Lactate Accumulation and Higher Enjoyment and Affective Valence Versus Cycle Ergometry

Authors

Todd Anthony Astorino Ph.D, California State University-- San MarcosFollow
Rasmus Dahl Clausen, California State University San MarcosFollow

Abstract

Reduced exertion high intensity interval training (REHIT) is an extremely time-efficient version of sprint interval training requiring two to three 20 s “all-out” sprints within a 10 min exercise session. Findings from laboratories in the UK (Metcalfe et al. 2012) and Canada (Gillen et al. 2016) show significant increases in VO₂max, glycemic control, and body composition in inactive adults completing 6 - 12 wk of cycling based REHIT. A prior study (Astorino et al. 2020) in 85 adults having diverse VO₂max values shows positive affective valence despite substantial blood lactate (BLa) accumulation. Whether REHIT can be performed using other exercise modes is unknown. PURPOSE: To compare changes in BLa, enjoyment, and affective valence between rowing and cycling REHIT. METHODS: Healthy, active adults (N = 20, age = 27 ± 6 yr) unfamiliar with REHIT completed four sessions using a within-subjects, repeated measures design. Sessions were separated by > 24 hr and held at the same time of day within participants. On 2 separate days, they underwent a VO₂max test on the cycle ergometer and rowing ergometer and were familiarized to REHIT. Subsequently, they completed REHIT on both modes consisting of three “all-out” 20 s sprints separated by 3 min active recovery. Resistance was equal to 5 % body mass and a drag factor = 135 or 145 for women and men, respectively. BLa, affective valence, rating of perceived exertion (RPE 6 – 20), and enjoyment were acquired during exercise. RESULTS: Results showed no difference in peak HR (98 ± 6 vs. 95 ± 4 %HRmax, p = 0.06) or maximal workload (191 ± 34 vs. 204 ± 29 %Wmax, p = 0.25) between rowing and cycling REHIT. Rowing REHIT exhibited significantly lower BLa (p < 0.001) at 2, 30, and 60 min post-exercise (7.0 ± 2.2 vs. 11.6 ± 2.8 mM, p < 0.001, d = 1.9; 3.1 ± 1.5 vs. 6.2 ± 2.8 mM, p < 0.001, d =1.4; and 2.0 ± 0.7 vs. 3.1 ± 1.3 mM, p = 0.02, d = 1.2) versus cycling. In addition, results showed significantly greater enjoyment (101 ± 12 vs. 89 ± 17, p < 0.001, d = 0.84) and lower delta RPE (7.8 ± 2.0 vs. 9.5 ± 2.1, p = 0.001, d = 0.85) and affective valence (-1.2 ± 1.5 vs. -2.4 ± 2.7, p = 0.036, d = 0.54) with rowing versus cycling REHIT. CONCLUSION: Overall, rowing REHIT represents a suitable alternative to cycling as it maintains the supramaximal intensity while optimizing the perceptual response.

Recommended Citation

Astorino, Todd Anthony Ph.D and Clausen, Rasmus Dahl (2024) "Reduced Exertion High Intensity Interval Training (REHIT) on the Rowing Ergometer Elicits Lower Blood Lactate Accumulation and Higher Enjoyment and Affective Valence Versus Cycle Ergometry," International Journal of Exercise Science: Conference Proceedings: Vol. 14: Iss. 4, Article 31.
Available at: https://digitalcommons.wku.edu/ijesab/vol14/iss4/31