Rev Bras Fisiol Exerc 2021;20(5):532-41
doi: 10.33233/rbfex.v20i5.4897
ORIGINAL ARTICLE
Heart rate and training volume responses in
High-Intensity Interval Resistance Training with different intervals between
stimuli
Frequência
cardíaca e volume de treinamento no High-Intensity Interval Resistance Training com
diferentes intervalos entre estímulos
Andressa
Fidalgo1, Rui Pilon1, Lenifran
Matos-Santos1, Adriano Oliveira2, Rodrigo Baladán2,
Rodrigo Medeiros2, Paulo Farinatti1, Walace
Monteiro1,2
1Universidade do Estado do Rio de
Janeiro, Rio de Janeiro, RJ, Brasil
2Universidade Salgado de Oliveira, Rio de
Janeiro, RJ, Brasil
Received:
August 26, 2021; Accepted: October
22, 2021.
Correspondence: Walace Monteiro, UERJ,
Laboratório de Atividade Física e Promoção da Saúde (LABSAU), Instituto de
Educação Física e Desportos, Rua São Francisco Xavier, 524, sala 8121F Maracanã
20550-900 Rio de Janeiro RJ
Andressa Fidalgo: fidalgo.andressa@gmail.com
Rui Pilon:
ruipilon@hotmail.com
Lenifran de Matos:
santos.lenimatos@gmail.com
Adriano Oliveira: adrianoafo@yahoo.com.br
Rodrigo Baladán:
rodrigobaladan@hotmail.com
Rodrigo Medeiros: rodrigomedeiros186@gmail.com
Paulo Farinatti:
ptvf1964@gmail.com
Walace Monteiro:
walacemonteiro@uol.com.br
Abstract
Introduction: Among the
prescription variables of the High Intensity Interval Resistance Training
(HIRT), the rest interval between stimuli stands out. The self-selected
interval (SS) is an interesting rest interval strategy between stimuli that has
not yet been investigated in HIRT sessions. Objective: The study
compared the heart rate (HR) and training volume responses in HIRT sessions
applied with fixed and SS intervals between stimuli. Methods: The sample
consisted of 12 trained men, who underwent three HIRT sessions in randomized
order, with different rest intervals between stimuli (10 s, 30 s, and SS). Results:
HR responses did not differ by applying the different intervals (P > 0.05),
and the same did not occur with the training volume, which was higher in the
session with SS interval (P < 0.05). Conclusion: HR responses in HIRT
sessions were similar in all investigated rest interval strategies. Due to
efficiency and practicality, SS intervals may be applied to control the
exercise intensity in HIRT sessions. However, when the purpose of the session
falls on a greater training volume, 30 s intervals should be applied.
Keywords: high-intensity interval training;
heart rate; exercise
Resumo
Introdução: Dentre as variáveis de prescrição do
High Intensity Interval Resistance Training (HIRT), destaca-se o intervalo entre
estímulos. Uma interessante estratégia de intervalo entre estímulos que ainda
não foi investigada na aplicação do HIRT diz respeito ao intervalo autosselecionado (AS). Objetivo: O estudo comparou
as respostas da frequência cardíaca (FC) e do volume de treinamento em sessões
de HIRT aplicadas com intervalos entre estímulos fixos e AS. Métodos: A
amostra foi composta por 12 homens treinados, que foram submetidos a três
sessões de HIRT, aplicadas em ordem randomizada, com diferentes intervalos
entre estímulos (10 s, 30 s, e AS). Resultados: As respostas de FC não
se diferenciaram mediante a aplicação dos diferentes intervalos (P > 0,05),
o mesmo não ocorrendo com o volume de treinamento, que foi superior na sessão com
intervalo AS (P < 0,05). Conclusão: As respostas de FC nas sessões de
HIRT foram similares em todas as estratégias de intervalo entre estímulos
investigadas. Devido à eficiência e praticidade, intervalos AS podem ser
aplicados para controlar a intensidade do esforço em sessões de HIRT. Todavia,
quando o objetivo da sessão recair em um maior volume de treinamento,
intervalos de 30 s devem ser aplicados.
Palavras-chave: treinamento intervalado de alta
intensidade; frequência cardíaca; exercício físico.
High-Intensity
Interval Resistance Training (HIRT) consists of an interval training modality,
conducted with exercises resistance. In HIRT, the exercises are performed at
all out intensity and organized in a circuit format, whose objective is to
maintain a high intensity of effort throughout the session. Among the
advantages of applying HIRT, the simultaneous improvement of cardiorespiratory
fitness and muscle strength stands out [1,2]. However, depending on the way in
which the methodological variables of training prescription are combined in the
HIRT, the time at high intensity may be negatively affected [3]. Among these
variables, the interval between stimuli influences in several aspects,
including the accumulation of metabolites and fatigue, causing early
interruption of sessions [4,5] if not properly applied. Although some studies
have investigated acute responses to exertion in HIRT sessions, they did not
focus the manipulation of intervals between stimuli and their effect on indicators
of effort intensity and performance, such as heart rate (HR) and volume of
training [6,7].
An interesting
recovery strategy between stimuli that has been investigated concerns the
adoption of self-selected recovery intervals (SS) by practitioners. In this
form of interval, individuals rest as long as they
deem necessary to execute the consecutive stimulus. Schoenmakers
& Reed [8] investigated the acute physiological responses to exertion by
applying SS intervals in interval training and found that this interval
strategy was effective in controlling the intensity of exertion. However, the
application of SS intervals was investigated in a running protocol, which
involves a single motor gesture. On the other hand, HIRT circuits are conducted
with different exercises, implying different motor gestures, which are
performed in different orders. In addition, they involve exercises with
different sizes of muscle groups and exercise loads. Therefore, the results of
studies involving cyclical activities such as running
and cycling cannot be extrapolated to HIRT circuits. Unfortunately, the
literature is still scarce regarding the application of SS intervals in HIRT,
and it is not known to what extent this strategy of interval between stimuli is
efficient in controlling the intensity of effort in this type of circuit.
Another aspect
to be highlighted in the HIRT sessions refers to the training volume responses.
When thinking about designing conditioning programs aimed at improving muscle
strength, training volume responses can provide important information. As far
as we are concerned, little is known about the behavior of the training volume
in HIRT sessions [9]. In addition, about the application of different interval
strategies between stimuli in HIRT, some still remain
unresponsive. Therefore, the elucidation of these issues can be important in
the design of HIRT sessions. Therefore, the aim of the present study was to
compare heart rate and training volume responses in HIRT sessions performed
with intervals between fixed and SS stimuli.
Subjects
This is a
quasi-experimental study, thus without a control group, whose sample consisted
of 12 men, aged 27.1 ± 3.9, height 179.7 ± 6.6 cm, body mass 84.6 ± 9.0 kg and
VO2peak of 56.6 ± 7.5 ml.kg-1.min-1,
practitioners of high intensity mixed circuits, for at least six months. The
limiting factors to the practice of physical exercises were identified through
the application of a structured questionnaire by the researchers. Thus, the
following study exclusion criteria were adopted: a) existence of
musculoskeletal problems that could limit the practice of exercises performed
in circuits, as well as on a treadmill; b) existence of cardiovascular diseases
that could interfere with the acquisition of cardiorespiratory variables; c)
use of medications that interfere with cardiorespiratory responses to exercise.
Before entering the experiment, the individuals signed an informed consent form and the project was approved by the institutional
ethics committee (CAEE: 08275619.6.0000.5289).
Data collection
The experiment
consisted of five visits to the Physical Activity and Health Promotion
Laboratory (LABSAU – State University of Rio de Janeiro), with an interval of
48 to 72 hours between each visit. Each participant underwent three
experimental sessions, always in the morning, with visits scheduled according
to availability. On the first day, the subjects underwent a clinical
examination, performed by a cardiologist. Also on that day, anthropometric
measurements of body mass and height were taken. To measure body mass, a Filizola® mechanical scale (São Paulo, Brazil) was used.
Height was measured using an aluminum stadiometer attached to the same scale.
For that, the individuals were instructed to adopt an orthostatic position,
with feet together and head oriented in the Frankfurt plane, after maximum
inspiration. In addition, the individuals performed a standard anamnesis
developed at the LABSAU–UERJ, in order to identify the
physical activities performed, as well as possible limiting factors to the exercice practice. For those who were selected, a
cardiopulmonary exercise test (CPET) was subsequently performed. On the second
day, the subjects were familiarized with the HIRT circuit. After simple
randomization, using a spreadsheet from the software Microsoft Excel, from the
third to the fifth day, three HIRT sessions were applied to each subject, with
different recovery intervals between stimuli.
Cardiopulmonary exercise test
The test was
performed on a treadmill using a ramp protocol based on the maximum oxygen
consumption values (VO2max) estimated by the Matthews et al.
questionnaire [10] From these values, the initial and final speeds of the
protocol were calculated, using the equation proposed by the American College
Sports Medicine (ACSM) [11]. The protocol was programmed to last between eight
and 12 minutes [12]. Before starting the test, the subjects remained monitored
until the respiratory quotient and VO2 assumed values of
approximately 0.75 to 0.85 and 3.5 ml.kg-1.min-1,
respectively [13]. Individuals were encouraged to perform maximum effort during
CPET, and the highest peak oxygen consumption (VO2peak) was recorded
at the end of the test. The protocol was performed with the VO2000 gas analyzer
(Medical Graphics, Saint Paul, United States), the data monitored continuously
and archived every 20 seconds. Polar heart rate monitor (RS-800, Kempele, Finland) was used to obtain HR measurements. The
test was considered maximum when the subject reached at least three of the five
criteria [14]: a) maximum voluntary exhaustion, b) grade 9 or 10 on the Borg
CR-10 scale; c) obtaining at least 90% of the maximum HR (HRmax)
predicted for the age or presence of a HR plateau by increasing the speed at
the end of the test; d) VO2 plateau with increased velocity at the
end of the test, e) respiratory quotient ≥ 1.10.
Familiarization session
The
familiarization session was carried out 48 hours after the application of the
CPET, with the objective of accustoming the subjects to the exercise circuit,
as well as to select the load in the different exercises. For this purpose, the
volunteers performed two rounds through the circuit, adopting one of the
strategies of intervals between sets used in the study (20 s of peak stimulus,
alternating with 30 s of recovery). As the loads in the different exercises
were self-selected, if any individual judged that the value selected for
conducting the exercises in the adaptation was not adequate, it could be
adjusted for conducting the experimental sessions.
Exercise session
All individuals
in the sample underwent three experimental sessions and the visits from each
subject were scheduled according to availability in the morning shift, each
subject was scheduled. Initially, the individuals performed a warm-up
consisting of one round through the circuit, with the load chosen in the
familiarization session. After warming up, individuals were given one minute to
position themselves in the place where the exercises were conducted. The HIRT
sessions were performed in a circuit form, consisting of the following exercise
order: 1) Thruster; 2) Swing; 3) Unilateral Snatch 4) Mountain Climber. The
load in the exercises was applied using a kettlebell (Swing exercise) and
dumbbells (Thruster and unilateral Snatch exercise). The choice of load was
self-selected for each exercise, by each participant, depending on their
experience with the exercises and use of equipment. In all sessions, four
rounds per exercise were performed, lasting 20 s at peak stimuli. In all
rounds, participants were verbally encouraged to complete as many repetitions
as possible in the exercises. The HR was monitored during the sessions and the
number of repetitions was accounted for later calculation of the training
volume. The training volume corresponded to the number of repetitions performed
in all exercises within the different rounds of the circuit, which was obtained
by filming the HIRT sessions.
The duration of
resting intervals was different in each session, namely: 10 s, 30 s and SS. The
SS interval, it was determined individually, in which each volunteer rested as long as they deemed necessary to perform the next
exercise. Despite this interval strategy being individual, an evaluator
registered the duration adopted by each individual to
analyze the profile adopted by the subjects throughout the session. Furthermore the subjects evaluated were not aware that the
intervals between stimuli would be registered.
Statistical analysis
To perform the sample calculation, effect size and
statistical power, the G*Power software, version 3.1.9.6, was used. (Universitat Düsseldorf, Düsseldorf, Germany). Significance
and statistical power of 0.05 and 0.80 were respectively established. The data
normality was initially tested using the Shapiro-Wilk test. To compare the
duration of the session with SS interval with each fixed interval strategy, a
paired Student's t test was used. Subsequently, the comparison of HRmax
responses and training volume in the different rounds was performed using
two-way ANOVA (interval strategy versus rounds), followed by Bonferroni's
post-hoc test, in order to detect where differences
between the experiments were found. To compare the mean values of HR and
training volume obtained in the HIRT sessions, as well as the mean values of
training volume obtained in the different exercises, one-way ANOVA was used,
followed by Bonferroni's post-hoc test, applied to reveal where the differences
between the experiments were found. Data were analyzed using the SPSS version
20 statistical package (IBM, New York, United States) and illustrated by
GraphPad Prism, version 6.01 (GraphPad Software, San Diego, California).
Considering the
four rounds through the circuit, the duration of the sessions was eight min
(HIRT with an interval of 10 s between stimuli), 13.50 min (HIRT with an
interval of 30 s between stimuli) and 9.16 min (HIRT with an interval of SS).
The duration of the HIRT sessions showed difference between the session with SS
interval and the session with 10 s interval (P < 0.0001), as well as between
the session with SS interval and the session with 30 s interval (P = 0.01).
Figure 1
illustrates the percentage of HRmax in the rounds of HIRT sessions
with different intervals between stimuli (A), as well as the average percentage
of HRmax in each session (B). When comparing the HR responses in the
different rounds of the HIRT sessions, some differences were detected between
sessions (P < 0.05). However, in relation to the mean HR values obtained in
the HIRT sessions (B), no difference was detected between them (P > 0.05).
(A): * = difference
between the first round of the session with 10 s interval in relation to the
others (P <0.05); ** = difference in the second round of the session with 10
s interval in relation to the others (P < 0.05); + and # = difference
between all rounds of the session with 30 s interval between stimuli and SS
interval, respectively (P < 0.05); ¥ = difference in the first and second
round between sessions with a 10 s interval and a 30 s interval (P = 0.05 and
0.02, respectively); ‡ = difference between sessions with 10 s interval and SS
interval in the third round (P = 0.05)
Figure 1 - The
percentages of HRmax obtained in the rounds of the HIRT sessions
with different intervals between stimuli (A), and the mean HR obtained in the
sessions (B)
Figure 2
illustrates the number of repetitions in the rounds of the HIRT sessions with
different intervals between stimuli (A), as well as the average number of
repetitions for each session (B). The comparison of the number of repetitions
obtained in the different rounds of the HIRT sessions (A), detected differences
between sessions (P < 0.05). In addition, when comparing the mean of
repetitions obtained in each session, the session with 30 s interval produced a
greater number of repetitions compared to sessions with 10 s interval and SS
interval (P < 0.05).
(A): * and ** =
difference between the first and second round of the session with a 10-s
interval in relation to the others (P < 0.05); + = difference between all
rounds of the session with a 30 s interval between stimuli (P < 0.05); # and
## = difference of the first round in relation to the others in the session
with AS interval (P < 0.05); ¥ = difference in the second, third and fourth
round between sessions with 10 s of interval and 30 s of interval (P = 0.003; P
= 0.001 and P < 0.001, respectively); ‡ = difference between sessions with
10 s interval and SS interval in the second, third and fourth round (P = 0.01,
P = 0.007 and P = 0.006, respectively). (B): * = difference between HIRT
sessions with 10 s interval and 30 s interval (P = 0.02); ** = difference
between HIRT sessions with 30 s interval and SS interval (P = 0.01)
Figure 2 - Number
of repetitions in the rounds of HIRT sessions with different intervals between
stimuli (A), and mean of repetitions obtained in each session (B)
Figure 3
illustrates the mean value of repetitions obtained in each exercise in the HIRT
sessions performed with different intervals between stimuli. In all exercises,
the mean value of repetitions of the session with 30 s of interval between
stimuli differed from the sessions with 10 s of interval (P < 0.001), and
with SS interval (P < 0.001).
* = difference between
the session with a 30 s interval between stimuli and a session with a 10 s
interval between stimuli (P < 0.001); + = difference between the session
with 30 s interval between stimuli and session with SS interval
Figure 3 - Average
of repetitions in the Thruster (A), Swing (B), Snatch (C) and Mountain Climber
(D) exercises, obtained in the HIRT sessions with different intervals between
stimuli
This study
compared the HR and training volume responses in HIRT training sessions
performed with fixed and SS recovery intervals. The main findings revealed that
HR differed only between the rounds of each session, without any difference
between the different sessions. When the training volume was compared in each
isolated session, difference was verified between the rounds of each session.
On the other hand, the comparison of the training volume between the different
sessions revealed that the session with a 30 s interval between stimuli
produced a greater number of repetitions when compared to 10 s and SS
intervals. When comparing the training volume in each isolated exercise,
considering the four rounds of the circuit, the session with 30 s interval
resulted in a greater number of repetitions when compared to 10 s and SS
intervals. The same pattern was verified in all exercises.
HR is one of the
main variables used for monitoring the exercise intensity [15]. The HR
responses found in this experiment indicated that both intervals between
stimuli were effective in maintaining high intensities throughout the session.
Based on the classification recommended by the American College of Sports
Medicine [11], the HR values obtained during HIRT sessions allow us to classify
the exercise intensity as vigorous. Despite the vigorous intensity of the HIRT
sessions, all participants were able to complete the sessions without
interruptions. This aspect may be related to their high level of physical
conditioning, since all of them were experienced in mixed activities, and had a
high level of cardiorespiratory fitness (VO2peak 56.6 ± 7.5 ml.kg-1.min-1).
Sustaining high
intensities during exercise is a fundamental aspect in physical conditioning
programs aimed at improving cardiorespiratory fitness [15,16,17]. From the HR
responses verified in all HIRT sessions, along with their duration, we
highlight the exercise session with 30-s interval between stimuli. In this
interval strategy, the high intensity was maintained for a longer period.
Although the objective of this study is focused on acute responses to exertion,
it is possible that a longer exercise duration sustained at the highest
intensity may be associated with greater improvements in cardiorespiratory condition,
compared to other intervals between stimuli. To elucidate this hypothesis,
studies with longitudinal follow-up should be carried out. On the other hand,
the session with SS interval was also effective in keeping the HR high during
the HIRT session. This means that the individual's perception of recovery
interval between stimuli can be considered in the control of the effort
intensity in trained participants. Thus, SS recovery intervals between stimuli
can be used due to their easy application during the sessions.
Another aspect
refers to the training volume responses from the investigated HIRT sessions.
Despite several studies analyzing the acute responses in HIRT sessions, the
training volume has been a neglected variable in favor of physiological
variables [6,18,19]. To the best of our knowledge, the only study that focused
on the training volume in HIRT training, in addition to physiological
responses, was conducted by Machado et al. [9]. These authors monitored
the training volume in different exercises. However, as a descriptive study, it
addressed only the training volume achieved in exercises with different muscle
groups. In our experiment, the training volume in HIRT training sessions was
compared by applying different strategies of intervals between stimuli.
Regarding
the training volume responses in this experiment, the session with a 30 s
interval was more effective in producing a greater number of repetitions, when
compared to 10 s and SS intervals. This result was expected, since the fixed
interval of 10 s proposed by Tabata et al. [20] is three times smaller
than the fixed interval time of 30 s. In addition, although they could rest if
they deemed necessary to perform the next stimulus in the session with SS
intervals, the average recovery time of our sample was 15 s, which also
negatively impacted the recovery compared to the session with 30 s of interval
between stimuli. Therefore, when the objective of the session is to obtain a
greater training volume, the session with 30 s should be preferred. It should
be noted that the comparison of training volume from HIRT sessions with a fixed
interval of 10 s versus SS interval did not reveal any difference. This implies
that both intervals can be used without affecting the training volume.
Finally, this
study has some limitations. The loads used to perform some exercises were
self-selected by the practitioner. Although no specific strength test was
applied to determine the loads, participants were used to training in the
exercises of our experiment, which may have minimized possible errors.
Furthermore, participants were instructed to perform the exercises at all out
intensity, but we cannot ensure that this has actually taken
place. However, maximum effort is inherent in all HIRT sessions and there is no
reason to imagine that exercise intensity has been overestimated.
The HR responses
in the HIRT sessions were similar in all of the inv
Potential conflict of
interest
We declare that we have
no conflicts of interest of financial, personal, commercial
and political order in the manuscript
Financing source
This research did not
receive any grant from funding agencies for execution
Author’s contributions
Research conception and
design: Monteiro W, Farinatti P. Data collection: Fidalgo A, Pilon R, Oliveira A, Medeiros R. Data analysis
and interpretation: Fidalgo A, Matos-Santos L, Baladán R. Statistical analysis: Fidalgo
A, Pilon R, Matos-Santos L. Writing of the manuscript: Fidalgo
A, Monteiro W. Critical review of the manuscript regarding important
intellectual content: Monteiro W, Farinatti P.