The impact of high-intensity interval training on the cTnT response to acute exercise in sedentary obese young women.

AIMS: This study characterized (1) the cardiac troponin T (cTnT) response to three forms of acute high-intensity interval exercise (HIE), and (2) the impact of 12 weeks of HIE training on the cTnT response to acute exercise in sedentary obese young women.

METHODS: Thirty-six sedentary women were randomized to traditional HIE training (repeated 4-min cycling at 90% V̇O2max interspersed with 3-min rest, 200 kJ/session), work-equivalent sprint interval exercise (SIE) training (repeated 1-min cycling at 120% V̇O2max interspersed with 1.5-min rest) or repeated sprint exercise (RSE) training (40 × 6-s all-out sprints interspersed with 9-s rest) group. cTnT was assessed using a high sensitivity assay before and immediately, 3 and 4 h after the 1st (PRE), 6th (EARLY), 20th (MID), and 44th (END) training session, respectively.

RESULTS: cTnT was elevated (P < 0.05) after all forms of acute interval exercise at the PRE and EARLY assessment with cTnT response higher (P < 0.05) after HIE (307%) and SIE (318%) than RSE (142%) at the PRE assessment. All forms of acute interval exercise at MID and END had no effect on the cohort cTnT concentration post-exercise (all P > 0.05).

CONCLUSION: For sedentary obese young women, both HIE and SIE, matched for total work, induced a similar elevation in cTnT after acute exercise with a smaller rise observed after RSE. By the 44th training session, almost no post-exercise cTnT elevation was observed in all three groups. Such information is relevant for clinicians as it could improve medical decision-making. This article is protected by copyright. All rights reserved.