Oxygen consumption, substrate oxidation, and blood pressure following sprint interval exercise

This study examined the acute effect of sprint interval exercise (SIE) on postexercise oxygen consumption, substrate oxidation, and blood pressure. The participants were 10 healthy males aged 21–27 years. Following overnight fasts, each participant undertook 2 trials in a random balanced order: (i) four 30-s bouts of SIE on a cycle ergometer, separated by 4.5 min of recovery, and (ii) resting (control) in the laboratory for an equivalent period. Time-matched measurements of oxygen consumption, respiratory exchange ratio, and blood pressure were made for 2 h into recovery. Total 2-h oxygen consumption was significantly higher in the SIE than in the control trial (mean ± SD: Control: 31.9 ± 6.7 L vs Exercise: 45.5 ± 6.8 L, p < 0.001). The rate of fat oxidation was 75% higher 2 h after the exercise trial compared with the control trial (Control: 0.08 ± 0.05 g·min−1 vs Exercise: 0.14 ± 0.06 g·min−1, p = 0.035). Systolic blood pressure (Control: 117 ± 8 mm Hg vs Exercise: 109 ± 8 mm Hg, p < 0.05) and diastolic blood pressure (Control: 84 ± 6 mm Hg vs Exercise: 77 ± 5 mm Hg, p < 0.05) were significantly lower 2 h after the exercise trial compared with the control trial. These data showed a 42% increase in oxygen consumption (∼13.6 L) over 2 h after a single bout of SIE. Moreover, the rate of fat oxidation increased by 75%, whereas blood pressure was reduced by ∼8 mm Hg 2 h after SIE. Whether these acute benefits of SIE can translate into long-term changes in body composition and an improvement in vascular health needs investigation.

Download Full-text

Effect of Sprint Interval Exercise on Postexercise Metabolism and Blood Pressure in Adolescents

International Journal of Sport Nutrition and Exercise Metabolism ◽

10.1123/ijsnem.22.1.47 ◽

2012 ◽

Vol 22 (1) ◽

pp. 47-54 ◽

Cited By ~ 17

Author(s):

Stephen F. Burns ◽

Hnin Hnin Oo ◽

Anh Thanh Thuy Tran

Keyword(s):

Blood Pressure ◽

Oxygen Consumption ◽

Oxygen Uptake ◽

Interval Training ◽

Fat Oxidation ◽

Substrate Oxidation ◽

Cycle Ergometer ◽

Normal Weight ◽

Interval Exercise ◽

Total Fat

The current study examined the effect of sprint interval exercise on postexercise oxygen consumption, respiratory-exchange ratio (RER), substrate oxidation, and blood pressure in adolescents. Participants were 10 normal-weight healthy youth (7 female), age 15–18 years. After overnight fasts, each participant undertook 2 trials in a random balanced order: (a) two 30-s bouts of sprint interval exercise on a cycle ergometer and (b) rested in the laboratory for an equivalent period. Timematched measurements of oxygen consumption, RER, and blood pressure were made 90 min into recovery, and substrate oxidation were calculated over the time period. Total postexercise oxygen uptake was significantly higher in the exercise than control trial over the 90 min (mean [SD]: control 20.0 [6.0] L, exercise 24.8 [9.8] L; p = .030). After exercise, RER was elevated above control but then fell rapidly and was lower than control 30–60 min postexercise, and fat oxidation was significantly higher in the exercise than control trial 45–60 min postexercise. However, total fat oxidation did not differ between trials (control 4.5 [2.5] g, exercise 5.4 [2.7] g; p = .247). Post hoc tests revealed that systolic blood pressure was significantly lower than in control at 90 min postexercise (control 104 [10] mm Hg, exercise 99 [10] mm Hg; p < .05). These data indicate that acute sprint interval exercise leads to short-term increases in oxygen uptake and reduced blood pressure in youth. The authors suggest that health outcomes in response to sprint interval training be examined in children.

Download Full-text