It has been shown that a high level of aerobic fitness is important for athletes participating in intermittent (team) sports. The majority of studies investigating the effects of traditional and sport-specific aerobic interval exercise on physiological measures and performance have involved field-based team sports. In some instances the effectiveness of sport-specific aerobic training has been questioned. To date, no study has investigated the influence of a sport-specific training approach in the sport of basketball. Purpose: The aim of the present study was to evaluate the effectiveness of a basketball specific endurance circuit on improving measures of aerobic fitness. Methods: Ten male high school basketball players, age 16.4 ± 1.2 years, ranked by fitness level and randomly assigned to a training group (N = 6) or control group (N = 4) participated in the study. The sport-specific aerobic endurance training replaced the fitness component of regular training and was performed during the competitive season. The sport-specific training consisted of interval training using a basketball specific endurance circuit, four times 4 min at 90-95% HRpeak with a 3 min recovery at 60-70% HRpeak, twice per week for 6 weeks. During this time the control group performed regular basketball training. Results: For both the training and control groups the actual mean training intensity for total training duration were 77.4 ± 2.9% HRpeak and 74.1 ± 6.7% HRpeak, respectively. The actual mean training intensity during the work intervals in the training group was 84.1 ± 2.3% HRpeak. There were no clear differences between effects of the two training approaches for measures of maximal oxygen uptake (3.3%; 90% confidence limits, ± 19.3%), running economy (-3.3%; 90% confidence limits, ± 14.2%), repeated sprint ability (0.6%; 90% confidence limits, ± 5.7%) and anaerobic power maintenance during the repeated sprints (-13.7%; 90% confidence limits, ± 49.0%). However, a clear non-trivial effect on sub-maximal heart rate was observed (-7.3%; 90% confidence limits, ± 2.0%) suggesting a beneficial training effect after training. Some evidence for attenuation of speed (-1.8 to -2.8%; 90% confidence limits, ± 3.4 to 5.7%) and power (-1.7%; 90% confidence limits, ± 17.1%) was apparent. Conclusion: Although clear changes in sub-maximal HR responses were observed in the training group, the data in the present study suggests that a basketball specific endurance circuit has little effect on other laboratory and field-based measures of aerobic fitness. In fact, the basketball specific endurance circuit may lead to reduced improvements in jumping and sprinting performances. Further research is required to clarify the effect of aerobic training approaches on basketball-specific fitness and performance.

The purpose of this study was to assess the efficacy of two different modes of exercise in an overweight and obese population over a 12-week period. Subjects: Forty-four overweight or obese individuals were recruited from a weight loss organisation. Participants were randomised into one of two groups which were matched according to age, gender and body mass index (BMI). The interventions consisted of either intermittent interval exercise (INT group), or intermittent steady-state exercise (SS group). Participants in both groups were on an identical strict caloric diet during the intervention period. Methods: Baseline and post-intervention testing consisted of the assessment of aerobic fitness, blood lipid profile, resting metabolism, body composition, vascular function, quality of life and activity levels. The exercise regime for the INT group consisted of a 1:2 min ratio of moderate intensity (70 75% V&O2peak) to low intensity exercise (40 45% V&O2peak), while the SS group exercised continuously between 50 55% V&O2peak. Total work per session was the same per group. Exercise consisted of walking/jogging twice daily for 15 mins five days per week. Eighteen participants dropped out of the study leaving 12 in the INT group and 14 in the SS group. Results: Peak oxygen uptake and exercise time to exhaustion increased significantly over time in the interventions (P < 0.001). Significant positive changes occurred in several blood tests, including liver function, insulin like growth factor (IGF- 1) and lipid levels (cholesterol, triglyceride, low density lipoprotein (LDL) and very low density lipoprotein (VLDL) and coronary risk ratio, all P < 0.05 over time). Additionally, uric acid and VLDL levels significantly decreased over time in the SS and INT groups, respectively (P < 0.05), whereas IGF-1 levels significantly increased in the SS group over time (P < 0.05). Body composition measures, including BMI, body mass, fat mass, percent of body fat, gynoid obesity and hip circumference, as well as waist circumference decreased significantly over time (P < 0.05). Several components of the SF-36 quality of life questionnaire (physical function, role physical, bodily pain, general health, vitality, social function and mental health) improved significantly over time (P < 0.05), while mental health also significantly improved over time in the SS group (P < 0.01). Finally, anxiety and depression levels were significantly reduced over time (P < 0.05). However, none of these changes over time significantly differed between the two groups. Conclusion: Both exercise interventions resulted in significant improvement over time in numerous health and fitness variables in an overweight and obese population. No significant differences were found, in the interaction term during a 2-way ANOVA, between the two groups at post-intervention. A longer intervention period, or changes to interval duration and intensities may result in more significant differences between the two training methods.

Orientador: Denise Vaz de Macedo / Tese (doutorado) - Universidade Estadual de Campinas, Faculdade de Educação Física / Made available in DSpace on 2018-08-17T14:32:34Z (GMT). No. of bitstreams: 1 Lopes_CharlesRicardo_D.pdf: 774908 bytes, checksum: 64132e04de4bce80749d581197101def (MD5) Previous issue date: 2010 / Resumo: O objetivo do presente estudo foi observar as adaptações promovidas pelo treinamento intervalado (TI) com diferentes tempos de pausas passivas. Vinte indivíduos fisicamente ativos, estudantes de Educação Física, foram divididos em dois grupos (G1 e G2) e submetidos a 14 sessões de TI. O protocolo de treino consistiu de sprints de 40 segundos em intensidade áxima, com pausa de 2 minutos entre os mesmos para o G1 e 5 para o G2. O volume dos sprints foi gradativamente incrementado ao longo das sessões seguindo o seguinte padrão: 4 sprints da 1ª a 3ª, 6 da 4ª a 6ª, e 8 da 7ª a 14ª sessão. Foram avaliados desempenho no teste 40 segundos (40s), as velocidades de limiar ventilatório (vLV), ponto de compensação respiratória (vPCR), e de consumo máximo de oxigênio (vVO2máx.), o consumo máximo de oxigênio (VO2máx.), composição corporal (CC), séries branca e vermelha, e a cinética de remoção do lactato frente ao 40s (CRL). A CC, CRL, série vermelha e branca foram acessadas na semana anterior ao início do programa, e uma semana após o término do mesmo (7D). A vLV, vPCR, vVO2máx, o VO2máx, e o 40s também foram acessados 14 dias após o término do programa de treinamento (14D). Como resultados observamos que os dois grupos aumentaram significativamente o desempenho no 40s em 7D e 14D; Não houve alterações significantes nas séries vermelha e branca; Três sujeitos do G1 aumentaram significantemente a vLV em 7D, enquanto que quatro não apresentaram alteração, e um diminuiu; Cinco sujeitos no G2 aumentaram significantemente a vLV no momento 7D, mas três não, sendo que um diminuiu sua vLV; Para a vPCR quatro sujeitos do G1 exibiram aumento significante, um sujeito diminuiu, e três não sofreram alterações em 7D.; Seis sujeitos no G2 exibiram maior vPCR, dois não exibiram alteração, e um diminuiu no momento 7D; A vVO2max aumentou em apenas um sujeito do G1 e não se alterou nos demais; Três sujeitos no G2 exibiram aumento na vVO2max e seis mantiveram em 7D. Levando-se em comparação os valores de erro típico inerente ao protocolo para vLV (ET=0,62km/h), vPCR (ET=0,35km/h) e vVO2max (ET=0,43km/h), podemos observar que o número de sujeitos com aumento significativo na resposta no momento 14D aumentou em todas as variáveis, sugerindo uma supercompensação dos efeitos do treino intervalado de alta intensidade nesses parâmetros após duas semanas de descanso. Não observamos alterações significantes no Tmax para G1 e G2, sem nenhuma alteração significante para o Lacmax. Nossos resultados sugerem que a manipulação no tempo de pausa em treinamentos intervalados de alta intensidade pode influenciar na magnitude das adaptações ao treinamento / Abstract: The aim of this study was to observe the adaptations promoted by the interval training with different rest intervals. Twenty individuals physically active and physical education students were divided into two groups (G1 and G2) and underwent into 14 interval training sessions. Training protocol consisted of sprints of 40 seconds at maximum intensity, with 2 minutes of rest interval for G1 and 5 minutes for G2. The sprints volume was gradually increased throughout the sessions as follow: 4 sprints from 1ª to 3ª, 6 from 4ª to 6ª, and 8 from 7ª to 14ª session. We have evaluated the performance in the 40 seconds test (40s), the velocities of the ventilatory threshold (VLV) and respiratory compensation point (VPCR), and of maximal oxygen consumption (vVO2max.), the maximum oxygen consumption itself (VO2max), body composition (CC), hematological markers, and the kinetics of lactate removal in the 40s (CRL). CC, CRL, and blood samples were accessed one week before the beginning training (Pre), and one week after the end of the program (7D). The vLV, vPCR, vVO2máx, o VO2máx, and 40s were also accessed 14 days after the completion of the training program (14D). Our main findings were: significant changes in 40s performance were observed at 7D and 14D for both groups, however the magnitude of the increase for the G2 at 14D was significantly higher than the G1; No significant changes were observed in red and white cells number; three subjects in G1 increased significantly the vLV at 7D, however four do not present changes for this variable, and one decreased; five subjects in G2 increased significantly the vLV at 7D, however three did not present changes for this variable, and one decreased; four subjects in G1 increased significantly the vPCR at 7D, one decreased and three did not presented any significant change; six subjects in G2 increased significantly the vPCR at 7D, but two did not present any significant change and one decreased; only one subject of G1 increased the vVO2max, meanwhile in G2 three subjects increased significantly and six remained at 7D; taking into consideration the typical error for the vLV protocol (ET=0,62km/h), vPCR (ET=0,35km/h) and vVO2max(ET=0,43km/h), we observed that the number of subjects with significant increases at 14D was greater for a all variables analyzed, suggesting a supercompensation effect of the high intensity interval training after two weeks of rest; No significant changes were observed in Tmax for G1 and G2, with no significant changes were observed for Lacmax in both groups. Our results suggest that rest interval manipulations during high intensity can influence the magnitude of training adaptations / Doutorado / Biodinamica do Movimento Humano / Doutor em Educação Física

Orientador: Paulo Cesar Montagner / Dissertação (mestrado) - Universidade Estadual de Campinas, Faculdade de Educação Física / Made available in DSpace on 2018-08-24T17:09:42Z (GMT). No. of bitstreams: 1 Fachina_RafaelJuliodeFreitasGuina_M.pdf: 1892049 bytes, checksum: 729f875e88f9760a66fb8987d2f0e2e2 (MD5) Previous issue date: 2014 / Resumo: O resumo, na íntegra poderá ser visualizado no texto completo da tese digital / Abstract: The abstract is available with the full electronic document / Mestrado / Biodinamica do Movimento Humano / Mestre em Educação Física

Although there is an abundance of research investigating the effects of exercise on cognitive function, few studies have investigated acute effects of exercise on performance of tasks involving executive function. Furthermore, the effects of different exercise intensities on multiple tests of executive function have received little attention. The purpose of this study was to examine the acute effects of 20-minutes of stationary cycling exercise at varying exercise intensities on executive function performance and to determine these acute effects immediately following exercise as well as after 10 and 30-minute delays following exercise. University students (N = 88) completed baseline measures of executive function (stop-signal task [SST] and Stroop task [ST]) and a graded cardiovascular exercise test on Visit 1. On Visit 2, participants were stratified by gender and fitness level and randomized to one of four conditions: high-intensity interval training (HIT), high, moderate or low-intensity steady-state exercise performed on a cycle ergometer. The ST and SST were performed immediately following exercise and again at 10- and 30-minutes post-exercise. Immediately following exercise, ST response times were significantly different (p < .05), demonstrating faster response times for the high and moderate intensity exercise (p < .05), while improvements in SST response inhibition were revealed for the HIT (p < .01) condition. At 10-minutes post-exercise, moderate and low-intensity conditions revealed improvements in ST response times (p <.05), with enhanced SST response inhibition evident in the HIT, moderate and low-intensity conditions (p < .05). At 30-minutes post-exercise, ST response times continued to show improvements from baseline for the moderate and low-intensity conditions (p < .05), while SST response inhibition trended back towards baseline levels (p > .05). The present outcomes demonstrate beneficial effects of exercise, regardless of intensity, for up to 38 minutes post-exercise. Future research should focus on mechanisms that would account for these effects and factors that support enhanced executive function performance with exercise training. / Thesis / Master of Science (MSc)

A thesis submitted to the School of Graduate Studies in partial fulfillment of the requirements for the degree Master of Science. / Sprint interval training (SIT) is a time-efficient strategy to improve cardiorespiratory fitness; however, most protocols have been studied in a laboratory setting and require specialized equipment. We investigated the efficacy of brief intense stair climbing as a practical model of SIT to improve cardiometabolic health, with a key measure being cardiorespiratory fitness as indicated by peak oxygen uptake (VO2peak). Two separate studies, each consisting of an acute and chronic phase, were conducted in a total of 31 sedentary women (age=24±10 y; BMI=23±4 kg•m-2). The acute phase of Study 1 established that the heart rate (HR), blood lactate concentration (BLa), and rating of perceived exertion (RPE) responses were similar when participants (n=8) performed a SIT protocol that involved 3x20-s “all-out” efforts of either continuous stair climbing or cycling, interspersed with 2 min of recovery. The chronic phase demonstrated that when participants (n=12) performed the 3x20-s stair climbing protocol 3 d•wk-1 for 6 wk, absolute and relative VO2peak increased by 12%, or ~1 metabolic equivalent (1.80±0.25 to 2.02±0.27 L•min-1, p<0.001), as there were no changes in body mass (p=0.35), fat free mass (FFM; p=0.09) or % body fat (p=0.42). There were also no changes in resting systolic and diastolic blood pressure (BP; p=0.82 and p=0.97, respectively), resting HR (p=0.62), and fasting insulin sensitivity (p=0.52). The acute phase of Study 2 established that the HR and RPE responses were similar when participants (n=11) performed three different stair climbing protocols. The protocols investigated include the 3x20-s continuous ascent model used in Study 1 (protocol 1), as well as 3x60-s bouts of ascending and descending either one or two flights of stairs, with 60-s of recovery (protocol 2 and 3, respectively). The chronic phase demonstrated that when the same group of subjects performed the 3x60-s 1-flight protocol 3 d•wk-1 for 6 wk, absolute and relative VO2peak increased by 8 and 7%, respectively (1.79±0.36 to 1.93±0.39 L•min-1, p=0.001; 31.2±4.6 to 33.3±5.3 mL•kg-1•min-1; p=0.01). Despite no changes in % body fat (p=0.10), there was an increase 3% increase in FFM (p<0.001). There was no change in systolic (p=0.50) and diastolic BP (p=1.00), but resting HR improved by 8% after training (p=0.03). The change in insulin sensitivity derived from an OGTT was 7.1±11 mg I2•mmol-1•mIU-1•min-1 (p=0.056). These findings demonstrate that brief intense stair climbing is a practical, time-efficient strategy to improve cardiorespiratory fitness in previously untrained women. / Thesis / Master of Science (MSc) / Sprint interval training (SIT), involving brief bouts of very intense exercise separated by short periods of recovery, is a time-efficient alternative to traditional endurance training for improving fitness. This has largely been established in laboratory settings using specialized equipment, which is impractical for many individuals. This project examined whether brief intense stair climbing was a practical model of SIT to elicit adaptations previously shown with cycling protocols. Subjects performed either three 20-s ascents interspersed with 2 min recovery periods, or three 60-s bouts of ascending and descending one or two flights of stairs, with 60-s recovery periods. Both protocols were 10 min in duration including warm-up and cool-down, and subjects trained three days per week for six weeks. The main finding was that stair climbing is a practical, time-efficient model to improve fitness in previously sedentary individuals.

Sprint interval training (SIT) increases peak oxygen uptake (VO2peak) but the mechanistic basis is unclear. The Fick principle broadly attributes increases in VO2peak to changes in peak cardiac output (Qpeak) and/or peak arteriovenous oxygen difference (peak a-vO2diff). The main purpose of this thesis was to investigate the role of Qpeak, measured non-invasively using inert gas rebreathing (IGR), on SIT-induced changes in VO2peak. It also considered the time course of these responses and the influence of biological sex. The SIT protocol involved 3 x 20-s “all out” sprints performed within a 10-min session of low-intensity cycling. Study 1 measured Qpeak after 2, 6, and 12 weeks of SIT and found it was increased after 12 weeks and associated with the change in VO2peak. Peak a-vO2diff, estimated based on the Fick equation (peak a-vO2diff = VO2peak/Qpeak), was also increased after SIT and associated with the change in VO2peak. Study 2 found that a novel constant-load protocol elicited Qpeak values that were non-inferior to an established step protocol, within a margin of 0.5 L/min. Both protocols elicited VO2 values at Qpeak that were similar to VO2peak. The constant load protocol had similar day-to-day repeatability as the VO2peak test (typical error = 6.6 and 6.4%, respectively). Study 3 investigated an exploratory finding from Study 1 that suggested Qpeak was increased in male but not female participants. The design was similar, but Study 3 employed suggested best practices for making sex-based comparisons. Contrary to our hypothesis, Qpeak was unchanged after 12 weeks of SIT and there was no sex-based difference. Like Study 1, peak a-vO2diff was increased and correlated with VO2peak. This thesis advances knowledge regarding the influence of SIT on Qpeak determined non-invasively and highlights the need for more mechanistic work to comprehensively assess the basis for the increase in VO2peak. / Thesis / Candidate in Philosophy / Sprint interval training (SIT) is a form of exercise that involves brief bursts of near-maximal to “all out” efforts separated by short recovery periods. The method improves cardiorespiratory fitness — an important health marker that is quantified as the highest amount of oxygen used by the body during strenuous exercise (VO2peak) — but the mechanisms are not well understood. This thesis examined the effect of SIT on peak cardiac output (Qpeak), which is the highest rate of blood pumped by the heart each minute, and the relationship to changes in VO2peak. Qpeak was measured non-invasively by having participants breathe an inert gas mixture. Two separate 12-week training studies confirmed that SIT increased VO2peak but yielded conflicting results regarding the role of Qpeak. The findings also suggest that the capacity of skeletal muscles to extract oxygen is increased after SIT. Biological sex does not appear to influence SIT-induced changes in Qpeak or VO2peak.

abstract: Heart failure is a major worldwide health concern and is the leading cause of hospitalization among elderly Americans. Approximately 50% of those diagnosed with heart failure have heart failure with preserved ejection fraction (HFPEF). HFPEF presents a therapeutic dilemma because pharmacological strategies that are effective for the treatment of heart failure and reduced ejection fraction have failed to show benefit in HFPEF. Long term moderate intensity exercise programs have been shown to improve diastolic function in patients HFPEF. High intensity interval training (HIIT) has been shown to improve diastolic function in patients with heart failure and reduced ejection fraction. However, the effects of high intensity interval training in patients with HFPEF are unknown. Fourteen patients with HFPEF were randomized to either: (1) a novel program of high-intensity aerobic interval training (n = 8), or (2) a commonly prescribed program of moderate-intensity (MOD) aerobic exercise training (n = 6). Before and after four weeks of exercise training, patients underwent a treadmill graded exercise test for the determination of peak oxygen uptake (VO2peak), a brachial artery reactivity test for assessment of endothelium-dependent flow-mediated dilation (BAFMD), aortic pulse wave velocity assessment as an index of vascular stiffness and two-dimensional echocardiography for assessment of left ventricular diastolic and systolic function. I hypothesized that (1) high-intensity aerobic interval training would result in superior improvements in FMD, aortic pulse wave velocity, VO2peak, diastolic function and, (2) changes in these parameters would be correlated with changes in VO2peak. The principal findings of the study were that a one month long high intensity interval training program resulted in significant improvements in diastolic function as measured by two-dimensional echocardiography [pre diastolic dysfunction (DD) grade - 2.13 + 0.4 vs. post DD grade - 1.25 + 0.7, p = 0.03]. The left atrial volume index was reduced in the HIIT group compared to MOD ( - 4.4 + 6.2 ml/m2 vs. 5.8 + 10.7 ml/m2, p = 0.02). Early mitral flow (E) improved in the HIIT group (pre - 0.93 + 0.2 m/s vs. post - 0.78 + 0.3 m/s, p = 0.03). A significant inverse correlation was observed between change in BAFMD and change in diastolic dysfunction grade (r = - 0.585, p = 0.028) when all the data were pooled. HIIT appears to be a time-efficient and safe strategy for improving diastolic function in patients with heart failure and preserved ejection fraction. These data may have implications for cardiovascular risk reduction in this population. / Dissertation/Thesis / Ph.D. Exercise and Wellness 2012

Introduktion: Fysisk aktivitet har stor betydelse för en god hälsa när vi åldras. Trots det är en stor andel av äldre personer stillasittande. Brist på tid och obehagliga upplevelser ses som hinder till träning. Högintensiv träning kan utföras på kort tid och kan ge större hälsofördelar än medelintensiv träning. Däremot har högintensiv träning upplevts för ansträngande och olämpligt för en stillasittande population. En negativ affektiv respons kan minska följsamheten i träningen vilket belyser vikten av att anpassa högintensiv träning för äldre. Forskning om upplevelser av en anpassad högintensiv träningsregim saknas i dagsläget. Syfte: Att beskriva upplevelser av supramaximala cykelintervaller, träningsmotivation och fortsatta träningsvanor hos informanterna, sex månader efter genomförd intervention.  Metod: I studien användes en kvalitativ induktiv ansats. Sex månader efter en träningsintervention genomfördes semi-strukturerade intervjuer. Tio av de intervjuerna har analyserats i denna studie, med deltagare som hade genomfört anpassade supramaximala intervaller på cykel två gånger per vecka under tolv veckor. Materialet analyserades med kvalitativ innehållsanalys. Resultat: Analysen av intervjuerna resulterade i fem kategorier: Träningen fyllde en viktig plats i livet, Att uppleva kroppen genom träning, Gemenskap som ger drivkraft, Träningen som stärkande upplevelse, och Att förändra eller falla in i gamla vanor. Konklusion: Supramaximala anpassade intervaller i grupp är en träningsform som verkar passa äldre personer. Träningen har upplevts lättsam och tidseffektiv. Gruppen har varit viktig och bidragit med glädje och motivation i träningen. Trots ökad motivation till träning har många fallit tillbaka i gamla vanor efter träningsperioden. Individuellt motstånd möjliggör träning på rätt intensitet i en grupp med blandad träningsvana. Dessa insikter kan komma att bli viktiga för att implementera träningsformen.

Whilst high levels of cardiorespiratory fitness and physical activity may protect against cardiometabolic risk factor clustering, evidence suggests these outcomes are below optimal in English youths. Adolescence is a key stage in health behaviours development, and thus represents an opportunity for interventions aiming to improve the cardiometabolic health, fitness and activity levels of this population. Recently, there has been growing interest in the efficacy of low-volume high-intensity interval training (HIT) as a time efficient way of improving health and fitness outcomes in adults. Contrastingly, the effects of low-volume HIT in adolescents remains relatively unknown. The first aim of this programme therefore was to develop a novel school-based low-volume HIT intervention. The second was to determine the effectiveness of this model for improving the cardiometabolic health, cardiorespiratory fitness and physical activity levels of adolescents. Study one examined adolescents’ views towards high-intensity exercise, and the proposed low-volume HIT intervention. This data was used to design the novel low-volume HIT model. In Study 2, participants’ heart rate and perceived exertion responses to three prototype prescriptions of low-volume HIT, based on boxing, dance and football were examined. Here, it was indicated that these activities were capable of eliciting a high-intensity training response (~90% of maximum heart rate). Study 3 incorporated the main intervention, which examined the effect of a 10-week multi-activity low-volume HIT intervention (named Project FFAB [Fun Fast Activity Blasts]) on various health and fitness outcomes in adolescents. Here, beneficial effects were detected in the intervention participants compared to the controls for triglycerides, waist circumference, lipid accumulation product and daily moderate-to-vigorous physical activity. Study 4 assessed the fidelity of the intervention, and found that this had been largely upheld. Collectively therefore, it appears that Project FFAB represents a viable strategy for improving aspects of cardiometabolic health and physical activity levels in adolescents.