Acute high-intensity interval exercise is less pro-oxidative/thrombotic compared to isovolumic moderate-intensity steady-state exercise

While high-intensity interval training (HIIT) has emerged as a more time-efficient alternative to moderate-intensity steady-state exercise (MISS), the impact on systemic free radical formation and link to activated coagulation remains unknown. We recruited sixteen healthy males aged 21 +/- 3 y who performed incremental cycle ergometry to determine peak oxygen uptake ((V) over dotO(2) (PEAK)). Participants were randomly assigned single blind to two separate groups (MISS: n = 8; HIIT: n = 8) matched for (V) over dotO(2) (PEAK). HIIT participants completed five exercise cycles, each consisting of 3 min at 80%(V) over dotO(2) (PEAK) alternating with 3 min at 40% (V) over dotO(2) (PEAK), whereas MISS participants performed an isovolumic bout of 30 min at 60% (V) over dotO(2) (PEAK). Cephalic venous blood was assayed for ascorbate free radical (A(center dot-), electron paramagnetic resonance spectroscopy) and clot fractal dimension (d(f), rheometry) at rest every hour over a 6-h period to determine critical difference (CD) and before/after submaximal/ peak exercise. Submaximal MISS increased A(center dot-) and d(f) to a greater extent compared to HIIT (P = 0.039 to 0.057) although elevations generally fell within CD boundaries (54.2% and 5.5% respectively). No further elevations were observed during peak exercise (P = 0.508 to 0.827) and no relationships were observed between A(center dot-) and d(f) (r = 0.435 to -0.121, P = 0.092 to 0.655). Collectively, these findings suggest that HIIT is less pro-oxidative/thrombotic compared to more traditional MISS, advocating its prescription in patients given the potential for superior vascular adaptive benefit.

Automated summary

This study investigated the effects of high-intensity interval training (HIIT) and moderate-intensity steady-state exercise (MISS) on free radical formation and activated coagulation. The results showed that HIIT had a smaller impact on oxidative/thrombotic processes compared to MISS. This study supports the use of HIIT as a potential treatment for vascular adaptation.