Single session of sprint interval training elicits similar cardiac output but lower oxygen uptake versus ramp exercise to exhaustion in men and women

Sprint interval training (SIT) elicits comparable long-term adaptations versus continuous exercise training (CEX) including increased maximal oxygen uptake (VO₂max) and fat utilization. However, there is limited research examining acute hemodynamic responses to SIT. The aim of this study was to examine hemodynamic responses to low-volume SIT. Active men (n=6, VO₂max = 39.8 ± 1.7 mL/kg/min) and women (n=7, VO₂max = 37.3 ± 5.7 mL/kg/min) performed a ramp-based VO₂max test (RAMP) to determine workload for the SIT session. Subjects returned within 1 wk and completed a session of SIT consisting of six 30-s bouts of "all-out" cycling at 130% maximal workload (Wmax) interspersed with 120 s of active recovery. Continuously during RAMP and exercise and recovery in SIT, VO₂ was obtained and thoracic impedance was used to estimate heart rate (HR), stroke volume (SV), and cardiac output (CO). Results revealed no significant differences in COmax (p = 0.12, 19.7 ± 2.4 L/min vs. 20.3 ± 1.8 L/min) but lower SVmax (p = 0.004, 110.4 ± 15.7 mL vs. 119.4 ± 15.5 mL) in RAMP versus SIT. HRmax from SIT (179.0 ± 11.8 b/min) was lower (p = 0.008) versus RAMP (184.4 ± 7.9 b/min). Peak VO₂ (L/min) was lower (p < 0.001) in response to SIT (2.43 ± 0.82 L/min) compared to RAMP (2.84 ± 0.82 L/min). Hemodynamic variables increased linearly across SIT bouts and remained significantly elevated in recovery. Sprint interval training consisting of 3 min of supramaximal exercise elicits similar CO yet lower VO₂ compared to RAMP.