Uphill versus downhill high-intensity training effectiveness in preserving vascular function and exercise performance in runners who reduce their regular endurance training.
Sport Sci Health
; 19(1): 249-257, 2023.
Article
in English
| MEDLINE | ID: covidwho-2260384
ABSTRACT
Purpose:
The COVID-19 restrictions have limited outdoor physical activities. High-intensity training (HIT) may be a valid indoor alternative. We tested whether an indoor HIT is effective in maintaining vascular function and exercise performance in runners who reduce their usual endurance training, and whether a downhill HIT is as effective as an uphill one for such purposes.Methods:
Sixteen runners performed the same 6-week HIT either uphill (UP, eight runners) or downhill (DOWN, eight runners). Eight runners continuing their usual endurance training acted as a control group (CON). The following data were collected before vs after our HIT vascular conductance during rapid leg vasodilation to assess vasodilation capacity; VÌO2max through running incremental test to exhaustion; 2000 m running time; neuromuscular indexes related to lower-limb muscle strength.Results:
Both uphill and downhill HIT failed in maintaining the pre-HIT leg vasodilation capacity compared to CON, which was, however, blunted more after uphill than downhill HIT. VÌO2max and 2000 m time were similar after downhill HIT compared to CON, and augmented after uphill HIT compared to CON and DOWN. Indexes of lower-limb muscle strength were similar before vs after HIT and among groups.Conclusion:
Our HIT was ineffective in maintaining the pre-HIT leg vasodilation capacity compared to runners continuing their usual low-intensity endurance training, but did not lead to reductions in VÌO2max, 2000 m time performance, and indexes related to lower-limb muscle strength. Our data show an appealing potential for preserving exercise performance with low cardiorespiratory effort via downhill running.
Full text:
Available
Collection:
International databases
Database:
MEDLINE
Type of study:
Experimental Studies
/
Randomized controlled trials
Language:
English
Journal:
Sport Sci Health
Year:
2023
Document Type:
Article
Affiliation country:
S11332-022-01029-5
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