Perceptual Responses After Reduced Exertion High-intensity Interval Training On The Cycle Ergometer And Rowing Ergometer

Abstract

Reduced exertion high intensity interval training (REHIT) is a form of sprint interval training (SIT) with extremely low volume that improves health and fitness with 10 minutes of exercise per session. Prior REHIT studies used the cycle ergometer (CE) which is often associated with feelings of displeasure and low enjoyment. PURPOSE: This study examined differences in rating of perceived exertion (RPE), affect, blood lactate concentration (BLa), and enjoyment (PACES) in response to REHIT performed on the CE and rowing ergometer (RE). METHODS: Sixteen habitually active men and women (age = 28 ± 7 yrs; VO2max CE: 39.8 ± 9.8 mL/min/kg; VO2max RE: 42.0 ± 8.0 mL/min/kg) initially completed two VO2max tests at least 24 h apart. Subsequently on two separate days, participants completed REHIT consisting of three 20 s “all-out” sprints on the CE (REHIT-CE) and RE (REHIT-RE) during which RPE and affect were measured. Following REHIT, participants rested for 60 min during which BLa and enjoyment (PACES) were measured. RESULTS: Relative power outputs during REHIT sprints were supramaximal (REHIT-CE: 200 ± 28%; REHIT-RE: 182 ± 31%, p > 0.05). There was no time*modality interaction for RPE (p = 0.09). RPE ranged from 7.0 ± 0.9 during warmup to 16.0 ± 1.6 after the 3rd sprint (p < 0.001). Each sprint elicited a higher RPE than the sprint before (12.1 ± 2.1 vs. 14.5 ± 1.4 vs. 16.0 ± 1.6, p < 0.001). Furthermore, the 2nd recovery period elicited a higher RPE than the first (9.2 ± 1.8 vs. 10.3 ± 1.9, p = 0.013). RPE during the cooldown period was higher than the warmup period (7.0 ± 0.9 vs. 10.3 ± 2.4, p = 0.002). There was no time*modality interaction for affect (p = 0.28), yet affective valence decreased with each sprint during REHIT and was significantly lower than warmup after sprint 3 (4.0 ± 1.6 vs. 2.5 ± 1.6, p < 0.001). BLa was significantly higher in REHIT-CE versus REHIT-RE immediately after REHIT and 30- and 60-min post-exercise (11.8 ± 2.9 mM vs. 7.1 ± 2.2 mM; 6.4 ± 2.9 vs. 3.0 ± 1.5 mM; 3.0 ± 1.3 vs. 2.0 ± 0.6 mM, p < 0.05). Additionally, enjoyment was higher following REHIT-RE versus REHIT-CE (101.5 ± 10.4 vs. 91.2 ± 14.8, p = 0.002). CONCLUSIONS: Rowing is a viable modality of REHIT that elicits lower BLa than cycling based REHIT. Furthermore, rowing-based REHIT elicits higher enjoyment than cycling-based REHIT which may lead to better exercise adherence in response to SIT.