Markers of biological stress in response to a single session of high-intensity interval training and high-volume training in young athletes

Yvonne Kilian, Florian Engel, Patrick Wahl, Silvia Achtzehn, Billy Sperlich, Joachim Mester

Publication: Contribution to journalJournal articlesResearchpeer-review

Abstract

PURPOSE: The aim of the present study was to compare the effects of high-intensity interval training (HIIT) vs high-volume training (HVT) on salivary stress markers [cortisol (sC), testosterone (sT), alpha-amylase (sAA)], metabolic and cardiorespiratory response in young athletes.

METHODS: Twelve young male cyclists (14 ± 1 years; 57.9 ± 9.4 mL min(-1) kg(-1) peak oxygen uptake) performed one session of HIIT (4 × 4 min intervals at 90-95 % peak power output separated by 3 min of active rest) and one session of HVT (90 min constant load at 60 % peak power output). The levels of sC, sT, their ratio (sT/sC) and sAA were determined before and 0, 30, 60, 180 min after each intervention. Metabolic and cardiorespiratory stress was characterized by blood lactate, blood pH, respiratory exchange ratio (RER) and heart rate (HR), oxygen uptake ([Formula: see text]), ventilation (V E) and ventilatory equivalent (V E/[Formula: see text]).

RESULTS: sC increased 30 and 60 min after HIIT. However, 180 min post exercise, sC decreased below baseline levels in both conditions. sT increased 0 and 30 min after HIIT and 0 min after HVT. sAA and sT/sC ratio did not change significantly over time in HIIT nor HVT. Metabolic and cardiorespiratory stress, evidenced by blood lactate, HR, [Formula: see text], V E, and V E/[Formula: see text] was higher during HIIT compared to HVT.

CONCLUSION: The metabolic and cardiorespiratory stress during HIIT was higher compared to HVT, but based on salivary analyses (cortisol, testosterone, alpha-amylase), we conclude no strong acute catabolic effects neither by HIIT nor by HVT.

Original languageEnglish
JournalEuropean journal of applied physiology
Volume116
Issue number11
Pages (from-to)2177–2186
Number of pages10
ISSN1439-6319
DOIs
Publication statusPublished - 10.09.2016

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