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

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 (VO2peak) and ventilatory threshold (VT) in male well-trained canoe polo athletes. Methods. Several aspects of VO2peak and VT were measured after two different training programs performed for 3 weeks. Following the pre-test, 21 well-trained male canoe polo athletes (VO2peak 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) x 60 seconds (s) at the paddling speed associated with VO2peak (vVO(2peak)), 1:3 work to recovery ratio; group 2 (G(2)), n=7; 6 x 60 s at (100,110,120,130,130, 130,120,110,100)% vVO(2peak) 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% vV02peak) per week. Results. Significant (except as shown) improvements (P<0.05) following HIT were found in: VO2peak (G(1) = +6.7%, G(2) = +7.6%), VVO2peak (G(1) = +8.4%, G(2) = +9.4%), and %VO2peak at VT (G(1) = +16.1%, G(2) = +6.2%; P=0.19), but no significant differences' were found in VO2/HRpeak (G(1) = +3.2%; P=0.39, G2 = +2.6%; P=0.57) and HR at VO2peak (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 Gam. 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 VO2peak, vVO(2peak), and %VO2peak at VT in well-trained canoe polo athletes. (C) 2016 Elsevier Masson SAS. All rights reserved.