EFFECT OF HIGH VOLUME HIGH INTENSITY INTERVAL TRAINING ON PHYSIOLOGICAL PARAMETERS, BODY COMPOSITION AND LOWER LIMB STRENGTH IN LONG DISTANCE RUNNERS : A PILOT STUDY

Background: Long distance running is a form of continuous running over distance of at least three kilometers. Physiologically it is aerobic in nature and requires stamina as well as strength. Regular aerobic endurance training improves physical fitness and recovery rate.High‑intensity interval training (HIIT) is a type of exercise training characterized by brief, intermittent bursts of vigorous activity, interspersed with periods of low intensity activity. High intensity interval training appears to be an efficient and practical way to develop potentially large effects on exercise capacity and small time requirement. Objectives: To evaluate the effect of high volume HIIT on Cardiac autonomic function, aerobic capacity, knee strength ,body composition analysis and response to graded normobaric hypoxia in long distance runners. Methodology: A sample of 10 novice long distance runners within the age 21-30yrs males were recruited and informed about the study. Subjects were divided into two groups - Group -1 (control group) which did only long distance running training and Group-2 (experimental group) did long distance running training along with high volume high intensity interval training. Subjects in Group-2 received 1 set of HIIT thrice a week for 6 weeks. Measurements of all criterion measures were collected before and after the training period of 6 weeks. Pre- training measurements were taken a day before the start of training and post –training measurements were done a day after completion of training. Results and Conclusion: There were non-significant changes in cardiac autonomic function, aerobic capacity, knee strength ,body composition analysis and response to graded normobaric hypoxia after High volume high intensity interval training was observed. However,there was a trend towards improvement in these parameters.