Showing papers on "Interval training published in 1981"

Continuous vs. interval training: a review for the athlete and the coach.

Abstract: Both interval and continuous training are necessary in order to maximize the endurance athlete's potential for competition. Continuous submaximal training exerts its greatest effect upon the oxygen transport system of the body, while high intensity endurance-interval training exerts its greatest effect on the structural and biochemical properties of the muscle. The physiological basis for both forms of training is discussed and recommendations are made for year-round training and training to elevate the anaerobic threshold.

Training for Aerobic Capacity and Running Economy.

Abstract: In brief: Successful long-distance running is often attributed to a high VO2 max, but running economy-the steady-state oxygen consumption at a given speed-may be more important. The physiological changes in a 31-year-old elite runner were studied during an 18-week training program using both interval and endurance running. Most improvements in running economy were noted during or immediately after weeks of increased interval training. Among runners of similar ability, a small difference in economy can make a large difference in finishing time in races longer than 10,000 meters.

Exercise program for wheelchair activity.

Abstract: Poor physical fitness of wheelchair-dependent individuals may result in excessive cardiorespiratory responses during locomotion. The purpose of this study was to develop and implement an interval training program (ITP) incorporating wheelchair ergometer (WERG) exercise to improve fitness for wheelchair activity. Of thirteen able-bodied female volunteers, seven were selected to participate in a 5-week ITP, while the remainder served as sedentary controls. Both the exercise training (ET) group and the sedentary control (SC) group completed a standardized fitness test on the WERG before (pre-test) and after (post-test) the 5-week period. Following the ITP, submaximal heart rate, pulmonary ventilation and oxygen uptake responses of the ET group were generally found to be significantly lower during the post-test. These improvements in WERG exercise performance were not observed in the SC group. The ITP may have contributed to adaptations of upper body muscles, improved cardiorespiratory function, and/or a higher level of skill for wheelchair propulsion. We conclude that applying the concepts of interval training to wheelchair exercise may substantially improve the performance and fitness characteristics of wheelchair users. This could reduce the relative stresses of wheelchair locomotion and lead to a higher level of rehabilitation.

Effect of interval training and detraining on anaerobic fitness in women

Abstract: Seventeen female volunteers (x age = 23.9 yr) participated in a 6 week investigation of the effect of high intensity interval training on anaerobic fitness. The subjects were randomly assigned to a treatment (exercise n = 9) or a control (no exercise n = 8) group. The training program consisted of 10 one minute work periods on the bicycle ergometer separated by one minute rest periods. This was done 3 days per week. The training intensity progressed from 110% of the experimental group's initial mean maximal oxygen intake (VO2 max) at week 1 to 15% of same group's initial mean VO2 max week 6. Improvements in the exercise group were significantly in VO2 max (+7.7%), peak post exercise blood lactate (-62.0%), maximum oxygen debt (+19.8%), and time of bicycle ride to exhaustion (+47.5%). The control group did not change significantly on any of the selected parameters. After 2 weeks of detraining oxygen debt decreased significantly to its pretraining value. The retention of increases in post exercise peak blood lactate and time of bicycle ride to exhaustion was 40% and 38% respectively. Twenty-four % of the increase in VO2 max induced by the training regime was retained.

Skeletal muscle fiber distribution and area in trained and stalled standardbred horses

Abstract: Four Standardbred horses followed a daily interval training program (5 × 700 m and 6 × 1000 m with 5-min rest periods) for 8 wk. Four more randomly selected animals served as stalled controls. Biopsy samples were taken from six limb muscles before and after the training period from all eight animals. No changes were observed in the percentage of fiber types for either group. However, significant (P < 0.05) increases in fiber area were noted for all three fiber types: slow twitch, high oxidative (ST) 13–17%; fast twitch, high oxidative (FTH) 13–17%; and fast twitch, low oxidative (FT) 21–29% for the six limb muscles in the trained animals. The results suggest that fiber area can be changed rather quickly with enforced exercise, and that FT fibers adapt more readily to high intensity interval exercise.