Abstract

High-intensity interval training (HIIT) forms an important component of endurance athletes' training, but little is known on intramuscular metabolic and fiber type adaptations. This study investigated physiological and skeletal muscle adaptations in endurance runners subjected to 6 weeks HIIT. Eighteen well-trained endurance athletes were subjected to 6 weeks HIIT. Maximal and submaximal exercise tests and muscle biopsies were performed before and after training. Results indicated that peak treadmill speed (PTS) increased (21.0 +/- 0.8 vs 22.1 +/- 1.2 km/h, P < 0.001) and plasma lactate decreased at 64% and 80% PTS (P < 0.05) after HIIT. Cross-sectional area of type II fibers tended to have decreased (P = 0.06). No changes were observed in maximal oxygen consumption, muscle fiber type, capillary supply, citrate synthase and 3-hydroxyacetyl CoA dehydrogenase activities. Lactate dehydrogenase (LDH) activity increased in homogenate (P < 0.05) and type IIa fiber pools (9.3%, P < 0.05). The change in the latter correlated with an absolute interval training speed (r = 0.65; P < 0.05). In conclusion, HIIT in trained endurance runners causes no adaptations in muscle oxidative capacity but increased LDH activity, especially in type IIa fibers and in relation to absolute HIIT speed.

Keywords

peak treadmill speed; plasma lactate; oxygen pulse; training intervention; citrate synthase; single fibers

Published in

Scandinavian Journal of Medicine and Science in Sports
2011, Volume: 21, number: 6, pages: 765-772
Publisher: WILEY-BLACKWELL

SLU Authors

• Essen-Gustavsson, Birgitta

  • Department of Clinical Sciences, Swedish University of Agricultural Sciences
    

UKÄ Subject classification

Animal and Dairy Science
Veterinary Science


Publication Identifiers

DOI: https://doi.org/10.1111/j.1600-0838.2010.01136.x

Permanent link to this page (URI)

https://res.slu.se/id/publ/46018