VO2max (VO2peak) in elite athletes under high-intensity interval training: A meta-analysis

Xianghua Ma; Zhenbo Cao; Zheng Zhu; Xiangru Chen; Donglin Wen; Ziwei Cao

doi:10.1016/j.heliyon.2023.e16663

VO₂max (VO₂peak) in elite athletes under high-intensity interval training: A meta-analysis

Heliyon. 2023 Jun 1;9(6):e16663. doi: 10.1016/j.heliyon.2023.e16663. eCollection 2023 Jun.

Authors

Xianghua Ma^{1

2}, Zhenbo Cao¹, Zheng Zhu¹, Xiangru Chen², Donglin Wen², Ziwei Cao²

Affiliations

¹ Shanghai University of Sport, China.
² Xi'an Physical Education University, China.

Abstract

Consensus is lacking regarding whether high-intensity interval training (HIIT) effectively improves VO₂max (VO₂peak) in elite athletes (Athlete must be involved in regular competition at the national level). This meta-analysis compared the effects of HIIT and conventional training methods (continuous training, repeated-sprint training, high volume low-intensity training, high-intensity continuous running, sprint-interval training, moderate-intensity continuous training)on VO₂max in elite athletes. Nine studies were included, comprising 176 elite athletes (80 female). Compared to that with conventional training, VO₂max was significantly increased after HIIT (overall: 0.58 [0.30, 0.87], I² = 0.49, P = 0.03; males: 0.41 [0.06, 0.76], I² = 0%, P = 0.89). VO₂max had positive training effects when the HIIT recovery period had an interval time ≥2 min (0.44 [0.03, 0.84], I² = 0%, P = 0.99) and recovery phase intensity ≤40% (0.38 [0.05, 0.71], I² = 0%, P = 0.96). Thus, HIIT shows superiority over conventional training methods in improving VO₂max, promoting aerobic capacity, in elite athletes.

Keywords: Elite athlete; High-intensity interval training; Meta-Analysis; VO2max.

Publication types

Review