Effect of High-Intensity Training and Asthma on the V˙O2 Kinetics of Adolescents

High-intensity interval training (HIIT) represents a potent stimulus to the dynamic oxygen uptake (V˙O2) response in adults, but whether the same is evident in youth is unknown. HIIT has also been suggested to place a lower demand on the respiratory system, decreasing the likelihood of exacerbation in those with respiratory conditions, such as asthma.

Sixty-nine adolescents (13.6 ± 0.9 yr; 36 asthma) took part, 35 of which (17 asthma) participated in a 30-min HIIT intervention three times a week for 6 months. Each participant completed an incremental ramp test to volitional exhaustion and three heavy-intensity constant work rate tests to determine the dynamic V˙O2, heart rate, and deoxyhemoglobin response at baseline, midintervention, postintervention and at a 3-month follow-up.

There was no influence of asthma at baseline or in response to the intervention. Participants in the intervention group demonstrated a faster V˙O2 time constant (τp) after intervention (intervention: 29.2 ± 5.7 s vs control: 34.2 ± 6.5 s; P = 0.003), with these differences maintained at follow-up (intervention: 32.5 ± 5.5 s vs control: 37.3 ± 8.7 s; P = 0.008). The intervention was associated with a speeding of the concentration of deoxyhemoglobin τ (pre: 20.1 ± 4.7 s vs post: 18.2 ± 4.1 s; P = 0.05) compared with a slowing over the same time period in the control participants (pre: 17.9 ± 4.9 s vs post: 20.1 ± 4.6 s; P = 0.012). Heart rate kinetics were not altered (pre: 46.5 ± 12.2 s vs post: 47.7 ± 11.1 s; P = 0.98).

These findings highlight the potential utility of school-based HIIT as a strategy to enhance the V˙O2 kinetics of youth, regardless of the presence of asthma.