Evidence-based vs. social media based high-intensity interval training protocols: Physiological and perceptual...

Area of Science:

• Exercise Physiology
• Sports Science
• Public Health

Background:

• High-intensity interval training (HIIT) is a popular, time-efficient method for improving cardiorespiratory fitness.
• Social media platforms have popularized various HIIT protocols, but their physiological and perceptual responses are not well-understood compared to research-established protocols.

Purpose of the Study:

• To investigate the acute physiological, perceptual, and motivational responses to two popular social media HIIT protocols.
• To compare these responses against two evidence-based HIIT protocols.

Main Methods:

• A randomized cross-over study involving 27 recreationally active participants.
• Participants completed four HIIT protocols: two research-based (Ergo-60:60, BW-60:60) and two social media-based (SM-20:10, SM-40:20).
• Measurements included blood lactate, heart rate (HR), feeling scale (FS), arousal, enjoyment, and perceived competence.

Main Results:

• Research-based BW-60:60 protocol showed a higher proportion of intervals meeting the high-intensity criterion (>80% HRmax) and greater lactate increase compared to SM-20:10.
• SM-20:10 protocol had significantly less time spent above the criterion HR compared to all other protocols.
• Enjoyment was higher for BW-60:60 compared to Ergo-60:60 and SM-40:20; Feeling Scale decreased over time in Ergo-60:60 and BW-60:60 but not social media protocols.

Conclusions:

• Social media HIIT protocols offer a viable, practical alternative for promoting exercise participation.
• Further research is warranted to explore the benefits and practical applications of these widely accessible HIIT protocols.