Conclusion
In untrained and recreationally active individuals, short-term HIIT is a potent
stimulus to induce physiological adaptations similar to traditional endurance
training. As little as six sessions of ‘all-out’ HIIT over 14 days, totaling ∼15 min of
intense cycle exercise, is sufficient to enhance skeletal muscle oxidative capacity
and exercise endurance. HIIT is also an effective strategy to improve performance
when it replaces some of the high training volume in the programs of well-trained
endurance athletes, although the specific mechanisms may be different compared
to less trained individuals. It has been proposed that a polarized approach to train-
ing, in which ∼75% of total training volume be performed at low intensities, with
10–15% performed at very high intensities may be the optimal training intensity
distribution for elite athletes who compete in intense endurance events.
Disclosure Statement
The authors declare that no financial or other conflict of interest exists in relation to the
content of the chapter.
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