High-intensity interval training: a time-efficient strategy for health promotion?

Introduction Regular endurance training induces numerous physiologic adaptations that facilitate improved exercise tolerance and physical well-being, in large part by increasing the body’s capacity to transport and utilize oxygen. In contrast, brief bouts of high-intensity, sprint-type exercise are generally thought to have less of an effect on aerobic energy metabolism. However, a growing body of evidence suggests that low-volume, high-intensity interval training (HIT) may represent a time-efficient strategy to induce adaptations normally associated with endurance training. This commentary briefly highlights recent work from my laboratory that has examined rapid adaptations in exercise capacity and aerobic energy metabolism after short-term HIT.