Acute Effects of High-intensity Interval Aerobic and Functional Training at Different Intensities (HIIT-HIFT-FT)

European University Miguel de Cervantes

Status: Enrolling

Conditions: High Intensity Functional Training; High Intensity Traditional Strength Training; Moderate Intensity Functional Training; High Intensity Interval Training (Cycling); High Intensity Interval Training (Running); Moderate Intensity Traditional Strength Training

Treatments: Other: Moderate intensity traditional strength training; Other: High-intensity functional training; Other: High intensity traditional strength training; Other: Moderate-intensity functional training; Other: High-intensity interval training, running; Other: High-intensity interval training, cycling

Study type: Interventional

Funder types: Other

Identifiers

NCT07180550

PI-DOC008-HIIT-HIFT-FT

Details and patient eligibility

About

Moderate-intensity physical exercise is widely recognized for its health benefits, yet time constraints limit adherence. High-intensity interval training (HIIT) has gained popularity as a more time-efficient alternative, eliciting significant cardiovascular, respiratory, metabolic, and neuromuscular responses. More recently, functional strength exercises have been integrated into high-intensity training, leading to high-intensity functional training (HIFT) and moderate-intensity functional training (MIFT). However, the acute physiological responses to these modalities remain underexplored compared to traditional HIIT (running or cycling) and strength training. This study aims to assess and compare the acute cardiovascular, metabolic, and neuromuscular responses of HIFT, MIFT, HIIT, and traditional strength training in healthy, physically active adults to inform their potential application in special populations.

Full description

Moderate-intensity physical exercise has long been a cornerstone in promoting health and well-being. However, despite its well-documented benefits, an exclusive focus on this training modality may overlook some important limitations. One such limitation is the challenge of dedicating sufficient time to physical activity to achieve health and fitness goals. Given this constraint, recent years have witnessed a significant shift in training modalities, moving away from continuous moderate-intensity exercise approaches [e.g., 55-70% of peak heart rate (HRpeak) or 40-60% of maximal oxygen uptake (VO₂max)] toward higher-intensity interval training protocols (e.g., >90% HRpeak or >85% VO₂max), thereby enhancing time efficiency and enjoyment for practitioners.

In this context, the most common type of training is high-intensity interval training (HIIT). HIIT consists of performing brief, high-intensity cyclic and continuous efforts (e.g., running or cycling) separated by predefined rest periods while using a single exercise modality. These short efforts (e.g., 1 to 4 minutes) at high intensity, whether cycling or running, elicit substantial cardiovascular, respiratory, metabolic, and neuromuscular stimuli, which can persist for hours after the workout.

Recently, this training approach has incorporated functional strength exercises-movements that mimic natural movement patterns and have practical applications in daily life-performed at high intensity [e.g., >75% of one-repetition maximum (1RM)] and following a circuit-based exercise organization (i.e., performing one exercise after another rather than using simple sets and pauses), a modality commonly referred to as high-intensity functional training (HIFT). Reducing the intensity of prescribed functional exercises (e.g., 60% 1RM) brings the training program closer to the demands of daily activities, a modality commonly known as moderate-intensity functional training (MIFT). However, both HIFT and MIFT define their intensity theoretically, based on the relative intensity concerning the maximum dynamic concentric strength that individuals can develop in each exercise (%1RM). Meanwhile, the cardiovascular, respiratory, metabolic, and neuromuscular demands of these methodologies remain largely unexplored compared to running-based HIIT (HIIT-R), cycling-based HIIT (HIIT-C), and traditional strength training with moderate (M-FT) and high (H-FT) loads in healthy, physically active adults. Therefore, before these methods can be applied to special populations (e.g., individuals with chronic cardiovascular or respiratory diseases, cancer, or older adults), it is essential to first understand their acute response in healthy, physically active individuals.

Enrollment: 27 estimated patients

Sex: All

Ages: 18 to 100 years old

Volunteers: Accepts Healthy Volunteers

Inclusion criteria

• Be 18 years of age or older.
• Have at least 6 months of experience in strength training with intensities greater than 75% of one maximum repetition (1-RM).
• Be classified as active according to the International Physical Activity Questionnaire (IPAQ) score.

Exclusion criteria

• Musculoskeletal injury within the 6 months prior to the first visit to the laboratory.
• Recent major surgery (<3 months).
• Having a medical condition in which physical activity is contraindicated (assessed with the Physical Activity Readiness Questionnaire, PAR-Q+).

Trial design

Primary purpose: Other

Allocation: Randomized

Interventional model: Crossover Assignment

Masking: Single Blind

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27 participants in 6 patient groups

High-intensity interval training (running)

Experimental group

Description:

Participants will perform a high-intensity interval training based on six sets of 2-minute runs at an intensity of 90-95% of the maximal aerobic speed (MAS) on a treadmill. The recovery between each set will be 2 minutes, during which the subject will walk at an intensity of 50-60% of MAS.

Treatment:

Other: High-intensity interval training, running

High-intensity interval training (cycling)

Experimental group

Description:

Participants will perform a high-intensity interval training based on six sets of 2-minute cycling will be performed at an intensity of 90-95% of the maximal heart rate on a stationary bike. The recovery between each set will be 2 minutes, during which the subject will cycle at an intensity of 50-60% of maximal heart rate.

Treatment:

Other: High-intensity interval training, cycling

High-intensity functional training

Experimental group

Description:

Participants will perform a high-intensity functional training based on three sets of six repetitions will be performed at 80% of the one repetition maximum (1-RM) for six exercises. The recovery between exercises will be the minimum time required to switch from one exercise to the next, and between sets, it will be two minutes. Participants will be instructed to move the load as quickly as possible during each repetition.

Treatment:

Other: High-intensity functional training

Moderate-intensity functional training

Experimental group

Description:

Participants will perform a moderate-intensity functional training based on three sets of six repetitions will be performed at 60% of the 1-RM for six exercises. The recovery between exercises will be the minimum time required to switch from one exercise to the next, and between sets, it will be two minutes. Participants will be instructed to move the load as quickly as possible during each repetition.

Treatment:

Other: Moderate-intensity functional training

High-intensity traditional training

Experimental group

Description:

Participants will perform a high-intensity traditional training based on three sets of six repetitions will be performed at 80% of the 1-RM for six exercises. The recovery after each set will be two minutes of passive rest. Participants will be instructed to move the load as quickly as possible during each repetition.

Treatment:

Other: High intensity traditional strength training

Moderate-intensity traditional training

Experimental group

Description:

Participants will perform a high-intensity traditional training based on three sets of six repetitions will be performed at 60% of the 1-RM for six exercises. The recovery after each set will be two minutes of passive rest. Participants will be instructed to move the load as quickly as possible during each repetition.

Treatment:

Other: Moderate intensity traditional strength training