Efectos del entrenamiento interválico de alta intensidad sobre la capacidad aeróbica y variabilidad cardiaca en estudiantes universitarios. Estudio cuasiexperimental

Abstract

Objective: to analyze the short-term effects of a 4-week high-intensity interval training on aerobic capacity in university students. Method: Quasi-experimental, non-randomized study. 26 students, adults, normal weight and physically active, participated, whose sample included 26 university students distributed in a control group (n=13) and an experimental group (n=13), who were evaluated in their aerobic capacity through peak VO2 estimated by the Step Test 3x1 and its cardiac variability determined by the LF/HF autonomic balance. A high-intensity interval training was carried out for 4 weeks, where 4 sets of Push-up, Mountain climber, Squat, Jumping Jack, Burpees and Skipping were performed twice a week. Results: the control group reported significant changes in aerobic capacity with a small effect size (p = 0.01; d = 0.2), while no significant changes were observed in cardiac variability (p = 0.80; d = 0.2), while the experimental group observed significant changes with a medium effect size (p = 0.01; d = 0.5). However, a significant change in cardiac variability was not observed either (p = 0.21; d = 0.2). Conclusion: high-intensity, short-duration interval training is a much more effective stimulus for improving cardiorespiratory capacity compared to a conventional aerobic training program in physically active young adults. However, it does not seem to generate acute changes in the autonomic