The effect of high-intensity interval training on ventilatory threshold and aerobic power in well-trained canoe polo athletes.

Summary Objective The aim of this study was to evaluate and compare the effects of two different high-intensity interval training (HIIT) protocols on peak oxygen uptake ( V ˙ O 2 peak ) and ventilatory threshold (VT) in male well-trained canoe polo athletes. Methods Several aspects of V ˙ O 2 peak and VT were measured after two different training programs performed for 3 weeks. Following the pre-test, 21 well-trained male canoe polo athletes ( V ˙ O 2 peak for arms = 38.1 ± 4.7 mL/kg/min) were randomly divided into two training groups (group 1 [G 1 ], n = 7; 6,7,8,9,9,9,8,7,6 (repetitions/session from 1st to 9th session respectively) × 60 seconds (s) at the paddling speed associated with V ˙ O 2 peak ( v V ˙ O 2 peak ), 1:3 work to recovery ratio; group 2 (G 2 ), n = 7; 6 × 60 s at (100,110,120,130,130, 130,120,110,100)% v V ˙ O 2 peak from 1st to 9th session respectively, 1:3 work to recovery; group 3 (G CON ), n = 7, the control group performed three sessions 60 minutes (min) paddling (75% v V ˙ O 2 peak ) per week. Results Significant (except as shown) improvements ( P < 0.05) following HIIT were found in: V ˙ O 2 peak (G 1 = +6.7%, G 2 = +7.6%), v V ˙ O 2 peak (G 1 = +8.4%, G 2 = +9.4%), and % V ˙ O 2 peak at VT (G 1 = +16.1%, G 2 = +6.2%; P = 0.19), but no significant differences were found in V ˙ O 2 / HR peak (G 1 = +3.2%; P = 0.39, G 2 = +2.6%; P = 0.57) and HR at V ˙ O 2 peak (G 1 = +3.1%; P = 0.24, G 2 = +3.2%; P = 0.07). Also, no significant changes in these variables were found in the G CON . Present findings suggest that 3 weeks of high-intensity interval training program with low volume (almost 6 or 9 min per session) is associated with improvements in V ˙ O 2 peak , v V ˙ O 2 peak , and % V ˙ O 2 peak at VT in well-trained canoe polo athletes. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]