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doi: 10.1515/humo-2015-0029
Abstract
Purpose. The aim of this study was to investigate the influence of 8-week-long interval training (targeting glycolytic capacity)
on selected markers of physical fitness in amateur long-distance runners. Methods. The study involved 17 amateur long-distance
runners randomly divided into an experimental (n = 8) and control (n = 9) group. The control group performed three or four
continuous training sessions per week whereas the experimental group performed two interval running training sessions and
one continuous running training session. A graded treadmill exercise test and the 12-min Cooper test were performed pre- and
post-training. Results. O2max and the rate of recovery increased in the experimental group. Relative oxygen uptake, minute
ventilation, and heart rate speed decreased in low- (6 km/h) and medium-intensity (12 km/h) running. Conclusions. Both
training modalities showed similar results. However, the significant differences in training volume (4–8 min interval training
vs. 40–150 min continuous training) indicates that the modalities targeting glycolytic capacity may be more efficient for ama-
teur runners prepare for long-distance events.
Key words: physical endurance, endurance training, interval training, maximal oxygen uptake, long-distance running
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M. Zatoń, K. Michalik, Interval training in distance running
low or moderate intensities in untrained populations. The effects of training on physical endurance capacity
The literature also shows that individuals who regularly and other ergometric and physiologic variables can be
train in endurance sports such as cycling, marathon assessed using various tests [28]. Depending on the studied
running, or cross-country skiing show improved pul- variable, exercise testing can be direct or indirect. If
monary ventilation (via higher tidal volume and lower conditions allow laboratory testing, a graded exercise
breathing frequency) in submaximal efforts [17]. test is most commonly performed to measure the con-
Developments in exercise strategy have seen interval tributions of the aerobic and glycolytic systems [29]. How-
training becoming a widely adopted training modality ever, the expense and complexity of laboratory methods
in numerous sports, as it allows individuals to train at favors field tests such as the 12-min Cooper test, which
higher intensities while reducing exercise duration. Its was found to strongly correlate (0.92) with direct meas-
defining feature is that it does not allow for full recovery, urements of O2max [30]. The Cooper test, in particular,
where subsequent repetitions of exercise are performed offers an effective and low-cost alternative to estimating
at increasingly higher levels of fatigue and lower blood maximal oxygen uptake in the absence or infeasibility
pH [18]. According to Zatoń and Bugajski [19], the pur- of other methods.
pose of interval training is to augment the body’s ability In light of the above, the aim of the present study
to tolerate exercise-induced metabolic acidosis while maxi- was to investigate the influence of interval training (im-
mizing anaerobic glycolytic mobilization. Besides im- proving glycolytic capacity) on physical fitness in am-
proved glycolytic capacity, interval training is believed to ateur long-distance runners and compare them against
more effective in improving maximal oxygen uptake individuals who exercised using traditional continu-
than continuous training [20–25]. Numerous studies ous training.
[25, 26] have confirmed increased O2max as a result
of interval training, the effect of elevated cardiac output Material and methods
in terms of heart rate and stroke volume as well as in-
creases in capillary blood flow, vascular conductance, The study recruited 17 male and female amateur long-
arteriovenous oxygen difference, and mitochondrial distance runners preparing for a marathon race who
enzyme activity. In addition to the above, research belonged to a local running association. None of the
[21, 23] has credited interval training with increasing participants had any competitive or professional ex-
muscle glycogen stores, improving blood buffering ca- perience with long-distance running and provided their
pacity and work efficiency (lower E, O2, CO2, respira- informed consent to participate in the study. The sample
tory quotient, and heart rate levels during non-maximal was randomly divided into an experimental (n = 8;
exercise), decreasing glycogen utilization in endurance 3 women, 5 men) and control (n = 9; 3 women, 6 men)
efforts, lowering blood lactate in steady-state prolonged group. The characteristics of the groups are provided
exercise, expanding chemoreceptor sensitivity to changes in Table 1.
in blood hydrogen ion and potassium concentrations Both groups were enrolled in an 8-week training pro-
as well as carbon dioxide tension, increasing minute ven- gram. Group E concentrated on glycolytic-based interval
tilation and the rate of expired carbon dioxide during training, with two sessions held per week interspaced
exercise, and also developing oxygen uptake at the lac- with a minimum of 48 hours of rest. At the end of the week
tate threshold. Improved global oxygen delivery also cor- (Sunday), this group ran with their running association
respond with changes in muscle fiber, in which type I approximately 20–30 km using continuous training. Each
fibers have greater oxidative capacity than IIa and IIx training session with preceded with a 15-min warm-up.
fibers. Interval training, by affecting glycolytic capacity, The interval training sessions involved four 20–30 s repe
may also lead to increased mitochondrial activity in titions of maximal intensity running (covering a dis-
type II fibers and thus show characteristics similar to tance of 90–200 m). Rest between each repetition was
those of type I fibers [5]. Of considerable implication based on a 2:1 ratio of work to recovery and therefore
is the fact that endurance training is known to reduce ranged from 40 to 60 s. The number of sets performed
maximum heart rate (HRmax) [27], which is one of the ranged from 2 to 4, with 20 min of moderate intensity,
factors determining maximal oxygen uptake according varied active recovery provided between each set [31].
to Fick’s equation [8]. However, by exercising with re- All exercise sessions were performed on a tartan track
peated maximal efforts, as is present in interval training, or running path. Distance covered in each repetition
it is possible to maintain a high HRmax. Combined with was recorded so as to compare subsequent repetitions in
increased stroke volume, this allows for improved car- a set or the total distance within a set. If in either case
diac output and consequently O2max [21]. work output decreased by 5% the training session was
This increase in absolute oxygen consumption as ended for that participant and a 5–10 min cool-down
a result of such training stimuli introduces various adap- was performed. The total running time within a set (not
tive changes, the most important of which is the ability including active recovery) ranged from 4 to 8 min. The
to sustain a high running speed, even above 20 km/h, control group continued to train as normal via contin-
for long periods of time in long-distance events [5]. uous training. All of their training sessions were per-
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M. Zatoń, K. Michalik, Interval training in distance running
Table 1. Anthropometric and performance characteristics of the control (C) and experimental (E) groups
at study outset (± SD)
formed together with the running association and lasted maximums recorded in the graded exercise test. A rate
40–150 min covering a distance of 8–30 km. of recovery (ROR) was calculated based on heart rate
All participants completed two exercise tests pre- and before and after the Cooper test [7].
post-training, the 12-min Cooper test and a graded exer- Descriptive statistics for all variables were calcu-
cise test, on two separate days (separated by a week) at lated. All calculations were performed using the Sta-
a track and field stadium or at the Exercise Laboratory at tistica 12.0 software package (StatSoft, USA) and Ex-
the University School of Physical Education in Wrocław, cel (Microsoft, USA) was used for data summary. The
Poland (PN-EN ISO 9001:2001 certified), respectively. Wilcoxon signed-rank test means was used to com-
On the day of the graded exercise test body composi- pare the experimental (E) and control (C) groups. The
tion and blood cell counts were also measured. significance level was set at = 0.05.
The Cooper test was performed on a 400 m tartan
running track (Mondo, Italy) after the participants had Results
been randomly divided into two groups outside of the
initial division into experimental and control groups. In both groups an increase in maximal oxygen up-
Cones were set at 50 m intervals in order to help iden- take per kg of body mass was observed in post-training
tify running distance and a whistle was used to mark measures, from 49.48 ml/min/kg to 51.1 ml/min/kg in
the start and end of the 12 min. Each participant wore group E and from 51.98 ml/min/kg to 54.63ml/min/
a S810 heart rate monitor (Polar Electro, Finland). Resting kg in group C (Figure 1). Pre- and post-maximal heart
heart rate immediately after waking as well as maximal rate decreased slightly in group E but increased from
heart rate during the test and 5 min into recovery was 186 to 188 bpm in group C. Minute ventilation rose from
recorded. 126.21 to 133.51 l/min and from 120.01 to 122.26 l/min
The graded exercise test was conducted on a SEG- in groups E and C, respectively (Figure 2). Increases
TA7720 treadmill (InSportLine, Czech Republic). The were also noted in tidal volume, from 2.66 to 2.71 l in
conveyor belt was calibrated before testing by special group E and from 2.26 to 2.35 l in group C. For the
computer software. Starting speed was 6 km/h and Cooper test, the distance covered also increased in both
increased by 2 km/h every 3 min. Running speed was groups. Pre- and post-training results in group E were
increased incrementally until volitional exhaustion or 2747.5 and 2783.8 m, whereas in group C they were
O2max was reached, where no increase was noted de- 2757.8 and 2828.89 m, respectively. None of the above
spite an increase in running speed. Heart rate was recorded differences in either group were statistically significant.
with the same heart rate monitor as before. Respira- While the increase in ROR from 56 to 58 in group C,
tory function was measured 3 min before the test and for group E participants the increase from 53 to 59.5
continued for 5 min after it was ended using a Quark b2 (Figure 3).
(Cosmed, Italy) metabolic analyzer on a breath-by-breath Pre- and post-training differences were also observed
basis. Blood was drawn from the fingertip before the test in the calculated relative measures. In group E, % O2/kg
during rest and 3 min after its completion. Acid–base relative to O2max decreased from 45.62% to 41.03%
balance variables, including blood pH and the partial and from 86.14% to 81.04% for running speeds of 6
pressures of oxygen (pO2) and carbon dioxide (pCO2), and 12 km/h, respectively. In group C, /kg decreased
were analyzed using a RapidLab 248 blood gas analyzer from 52.84% to 43.89% at 6 km/h and from 84.27%
(Bayer, Germany). Blood lactate (La-) was controlled to 80.02% at 12 km/h. Only the decrease at 6 km/h in
for using a LKM 140 lactate cuvette tester on a LP400 the control group was significant (Figure 4). For %HRmax
photometer (Dr. Lange, Germany). at 6 km/h, decreases were found both in group C, from
All of the variables recorded during the graded exercise 70.36% to 62.09%, and group E, from 67.18% to 60.89%.
test were averaged over 30-second periods. was deter- At 12 km/h these decreases were almost negligible, from
mined as the highest O2max attained within an averaged 89.51% to 89.41% in group C, and from 88.74% to 89.28%
30-s interval. Relative values of % O2max/kg and in group E. Out of these decreases, only the one at 6 km/h
%HRmax were also calculated for data analysis by di- in group C was statistically significant (Figure 5).
viding the values obtained at 6 and 12 km/h by the
73
HUMAN MOVEMENT
M. Zatoń, K. Michalik, Interval training in distance running
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HUMAN MOVEMENT
M. Zatoń, K. Michalik, Interval training in distance running
100 100
90 90
80 80
70
(%VO2max/kg)
70
60
(%Hrmax)
60
50
50
40
30 40
E
20 30
C E
10 20
0 10 C
pre post pre post pre post 0
6 (km/h) 12 (km/h) V max pre post pre post pre post
6 (km/h) 12 (km/h) V max
* difference significant at p < 0.05
* difference significant at p < 0.05
Figure 4. Pre- and post-training changes in relative
Figure 5. Pre- and post-training changes in relative heart
maximal oxygen uptake per kg of body mass per minute
rate at different running speeds in group E and C
at different running speeds in group E and C
Table 2. Graded exercise test acid–base balance characteristics pre- and post-training in groups E and C (± SD)
Group Pre La– Post La– Pre pH Post pH Pre pCO2 Post pCO2 Pre pO2 Post pO2
11.1 10.85 7.17 7.21 32.94 34.93 87.3 85.34
E
2.7 2.77 0.11 0.11 6.09 2.9 7.77 5.85
9.75 9.18 7.23 7.25 34.97 37.09 85.48 84.49
C
3.41 3.33 0.08 0.07 2.38 3.43 6.95 5.84
75
HUMAN MOVEMENT
M. Zatoń, K. Michalik, Interval training in distance running
training. Besides significant performance and physiologi- 2. This training modality increases maximal oxygen
cal improvements noted in the experimental groups, uptake, minute ventilation, tidal volume, distance covered
3000 m running time was also enhanced when com- in the Cooper test, and improves post-exercise recovery
pared with the control group. The authors concluded as well as running economy.
that such a training protocol results in improved aero- 3. The low training volume (duration) of interval train-
bic and glycolytic capacity, which is consistent with ing make this form of training particularly important for
the findings of Laursen et al. [22]. individuals with limited time available for exercise.
Burgomaster et al. [35] also compared interval train-
ing and traditional endurance training by drawing par- Acknowledgments
ticular attention to the differences in training duration We wish to express our gratitude to the study participants
as well as the Wrocław Pro-Run Running Association for their
and volume. Their interval training group performed
help in promoting the study among their members.
four to six maximal 30-s cycle ergometer bouts three
times per week for 6 weeks; the endurance training
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