Efectos del entrenamiento interválico de alta intensidad sobre el consumo máximo de oxígeno estimado en adultos sedentarios: Estudio cuasi-experimental longitudinal

Abstract

Limited opportunities for exercise lead to sedentary behavior, and when combined with poor eating habits, this results in obesity, which is linked to chronic non-communicable diseases. To address this, programs based on different training models, such as high-intensity interval training (HIIT), have been developed. The objective of this research was to determine the effect of a HIIT program on the estimated maximum oxygen consumption (VO₂max) in sedentary adults. The study was a longitudinal quasi-experimental design, in which 30 adults participated (21 men; 9 women) with a mean age of 34.17 years. VO₂max (ml·kg⁻¹·min⁻¹) was estimated using the Queen’s College Step Test. Additionally, the Physical Activity Readiness Questionnaire (PAR-Q & YOU) was administered prior to the program. Participants performed HIIT twice a week for 16 weeks at different time intervals. The results showed changes for men: pre-intervention 35.25 (±2.72); post-intervention 38.37 (±2.89) ml·kg⁻¹·min⁻¹ (p < 0.001) and for women: pre-intervention 28.31 (±1.85); post-intervention 30.01 (±1.11) ml·kg⁻¹·min⁻¹ (p = 0.002), with a Cohen's d of -3.24 for men and -1.51 for women. It is concluded that a 16-week HIIT program This could be an option for improving cardiopulmonary fitness by estimating VO₂max; however, these results cannot be considered to establish a causal relationship.