Effects of Two Different Self-Paced Training Modalities on the Aerobic Fitness Levels, Psychophysiological Responses, and Antioxidant Status in Physically Active Young Adults

Yusuf Soylu; Peter Krustrup; Magni Mohr; Ersan Arslan; Bulent Kilit; Łukasz Radzimiński

doi:10.3390/jcm12237232

Effects of Two Different Self-Paced Training Modalities on the Aerobic Fitness Levels, Psychophysiological Responses, and Antioxidant Status in Physically Active Young Adults

J Clin Med. 2023 Nov 22;12(23):7232. doi: 10.3390/jcm12237232.

Authors

Yusuf Soylu¹, Peter Krustrup^{2

3

4}, Magni Mohr^{2

5}, Ersan Arslan¹, Bulent Kilit¹, Łukasz Radzimiński⁶

Affiliations

¹ Faculty of Sports Sciences, Tokat Gaziosmanpasa University, Tokat 60250, Turkey.
² Department of Sports Science and Clinical Biomechanics, SDU Sport and Health Sciences Cluster (SHSC), University of Southern Denmark, 5230 Odense, Denmark.
³ Sport and Health Sciences, College of Life and Environmental Sciences, St Luke's Campus, University of Exeter, Exeter EX12LU, UK.
⁴ Danish Institute for Advanced Study-DIAS, Faculty of Health Sciences, University of Southern Denmark, 5230 Odense, Denmark.
⁵ Centre of Health Science, Faculty of Health, University of the Faroe Islands, 100 Tórshavn, Faroe Islands.
⁶ Department of Physiology and Biochemistry, Gdansk University of Physical Education and Sport, 80-336 Gdansk, Poland.

Abstract

This study aims to investigate the effects of self-paced high-intensity interval training (Sp-HIIT) vs. self-paced moderate-intensity continuous training (Sp-MICT) on aerobic fitness levels, psychophysiological responses, and antioxidant status to assess the relationship between aerobic fitness levels and antioxidant markers. Physically active young adults were randomised into Sp-HIIT and Sp-MICT groups. The intervention consisted of three weekly sessions during an eight-week period. Sp-HIIT consisted of performing two sets of 12-24 × 30 s high-intensity runs ≥ 85% HR_max followed by 30 s rest periods, while Sp-MICT consisted of performing 24-48 min of continuous running at 60-75% HR_max. Pre- and post-intervention testing included a maximal oxygen uptake (VO_2max) assessment during a 30-15 intermittent fitness test (30-15 IFT), as well as resting blood samples, which were analysed for oxidative stress markers (malondialdehyde (MDA)) and activity of intracellular antioxidant enzymes (catalase (CAT), superoxide dismutase (SOD) and reduced (GSH) and oxidized glutathione (GSSG)). The Sp-HIIT group showed a greater improvement in velocity of 30-15 IFT, VO_2max, and MDA responses. Furthermore, the Sp-HIIT group demonstrated higher psychophysiological responses than the Sp-MICT group, except for anger responses. In conclusion, these results suggest that Sp-HIIT has a higher level of beneficial exercise-induced effects in physiological responses with greater perceived exertion in physically active young adults.

Keywords: continuous training; interval training; mood; oxidative stress; perceived exertion.

Grants and funding

This research received no external funding.