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The effect of low volume sprint interval training on cardiorespiratory fitness: study protocol for a definitive randomized controlled trial

Todd A. Astorino, Richard Metcalfe Orcid Logo, Niels B. J. Vollaard

Trials, Volume: 27, Issue: 1, Start page: 340

Swansea University Author: Richard Metcalfe Orcid Logo

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DOI (Published version): 10.1186/s13063-026-09647-x

Abstract

Background: Prior studies show significant increases in cardiorespiratory fitness (V̇O2max) and other health-related outcomes in response to reduced exertion high-intensity interval training (REHIT), yet these studies are characterized by small sample sizes which casts doubt on the true efficacy of...

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Published in: Trials
ISSN: 1745-6215
Published: Springer Nature 2026
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URI: https://cronfa.swan.ac.uk/Record/cronfa71677
first_indexed 2026-03-25T12:13:56Z
last_indexed 2026-04-25T06:50:27Z
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spelling v2 71677 2026-03-25 The effect of low volume sprint interval training on cardiorespiratory fitness: study protocol for a definitive randomized controlled trial 9bb783273dd9d54a2f3f66f75c43abdf 0000-0003-0980-2977 Richard Metcalfe Richard Metcalfe true false 2026-03-25 EAAS Background: Prior studies show significant increases in cardiorespiratory fitness (V̇O2max) and other health-related outcomes in response to reduced exertion high-intensity interval training (REHIT), yet these studies are characterized by small sample sizes which casts doubt on the true efficacy of this form of physical activity for enhancing fitness and health. We propose a definitive randomized controlled exercise training study in a large sample of inactive adults to examine the effects of REHIT on outcomes related to cardiometabolic health in comparison to a non-exercise control group. Methods: After baseline testing, 120 inactive men and women ages 18–64 years will be randomized to a non-exercising control group or undergo 12 weeks of REHIT. Participants will be healthy, weight stable, and have BMI < 35 kg/m2 and be required to maintain their habitual physical activity and dietary patterns during the study. Training will be supervised and performed 2 days per week. Changes in V̇O2max, body composition, and substrate metabolism will be monitored to assess adaptations in cardiometabolic health in response to REHIT. To assess the feasibility of REHIT, various perceptual measures including RPE, affective valence, and enjoyment will be recorded, and quality of life will be measured. Discussion: Data from the current study will advance physical activity research by bolstering the implementation of REHIT, which will contribute to reduced risk factors of cardiovascular disease and, in turn, improved public health. Journal Article Trials 27 1 340 Springer Nature 1745-6215 Sprint interval training; Maximal oxygen uptake; Cardiometabolic health; Substrate metabolism; Cardiac output; Feasibility 31 12 2026 2026-12-31 10.1186/s13063-026-09647-x Study Protocol COLLEGE NANME Engineering and Applied Sciences School COLLEGE CODE EAAS Swansea University Another institution paid the OA fee Research reported in this publication was supported by the National Institute on Aging of the National Institutes of Health under Award Number R15AG093525. 2026-05-13T15:52:21.8033839 2026-03-25T12:11:35.2470004 Faculty of Science and Engineering School of Engineering and Applied Sciences - Sport and Exercise Sciences Todd A. Astorino 1 Richard Metcalfe 0000-0003-0980-2977 2 Niels B. J. Vollaard 3 71677__36723__1e980345ab1748de8b4701b62dbb8e6b.pdf 71677.VOR.pdf 2026-05-13T15:47:59.2301909 Output 1072910 application/pdf Version of Record true © The Author(s) 2026. This article is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution-NonCommercial-NoDerivatives 4.0 International License. true eng http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-nc-nd/4.0/
title The effect of low volume sprint interval training on cardiorespiratory fitness: study protocol for a definitive randomized controlled trial
spellingShingle The effect of low volume sprint interval training on cardiorespiratory fitness: study protocol for a definitive randomized controlled trial
Richard Metcalfe
title_short The effect of low volume sprint interval training on cardiorespiratory fitness: study protocol for a definitive randomized controlled trial
title_full The effect of low volume sprint interval training on cardiorespiratory fitness: study protocol for a definitive randomized controlled trial
title_fullStr The effect of low volume sprint interval training on cardiorespiratory fitness: study protocol for a definitive randomized controlled trial
title_full_unstemmed The effect of low volume sprint interval training on cardiorespiratory fitness: study protocol for a definitive randomized controlled trial
title_sort The effect of low volume sprint interval training on cardiorespiratory fitness: study protocol for a definitive randomized controlled trial
author_id_str_mv 9bb783273dd9d54a2f3f66f75c43abdf
author_id_fullname_str_mv 9bb783273dd9d54a2f3f66f75c43abdf_***_Richard Metcalfe
author Richard Metcalfe
author2 Todd A. Astorino
Richard Metcalfe
Niels B. J. Vollaard
format Journal article
container_title Trials
container_volume 27
container_issue 1
container_start_page 340
publishDate 2026
institution Swansea University
issn 1745-6215
doi_str_mv 10.1186/s13063-026-09647-x
publisher Springer Nature
college_str Faculty of Science and Engineering
hierarchytype
hierarchy_top_id facultyofscienceandengineering
hierarchy_top_title Faculty of Science and Engineering
hierarchy_parent_id facultyofscienceandengineering
hierarchy_parent_title Faculty of Science and Engineering
department_str School of Engineering and Applied Sciences - Sport and Exercise Sciences{{{_:::_}}}Faculty of Science and Engineering{{{_:::_}}}School of Engineering and Applied Sciences - Sport and Exercise Sciences
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description Background: Prior studies show significant increases in cardiorespiratory fitness (V̇O2max) and other health-related outcomes in response to reduced exertion high-intensity interval training (REHIT), yet these studies are characterized by small sample sizes which casts doubt on the true efficacy of this form of physical activity for enhancing fitness and health. We propose a definitive randomized controlled exercise training study in a large sample of inactive adults to examine the effects of REHIT on outcomes related to cardiometabolic health in comparison to a non-exercise control group. Methods: After baseline testing, 120 inactive men and women ages 18–64 years will be randomized to a non-exercising control group or undergo 12 weeks of REHIT. Participants will be healthy, weight stable, and have BMI < 35 kg/m2 and be required to maintain their habitual physical activity and dietary patterns during the study. Training will be supervised and performed 2 days per week. Changes in V̇O2max, body composition, and substrate metabolism will be monitored to assess adaptations in cardiometabolic health in response to REHIT. To assess the feasibility of REHIT, various perceptual measures including RPE, affective valence, and enjoyment will be recorded, and quality of life will be measured. Discussion: Data from the current study will advance physical activity research by bolstering the implementation of REHIT, which will contribute to reduced risk factors of cardiovascular disease and, in turn, improved public health.
published_date 2026-12-31T15:52:24Z
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