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Updated: Oct 11, 2025

A Real-World High-Intensity Interval Training Protocol for Cardiorespiratory Fitness Improvement
Published on: February 22, 2022
Physiological profile comparison between high intensity functional training, endurance and power athletes
P E Adami1, J E Rocchi2, N Melke2
1Department of Movement, Human and Health Sciences, University of Rome "Foro Italico", Rome, Italy. pe.adami@gmail.com.
High-intensity functional training (HIFT) athletes show physiological profiles combining endurance and power. HIFT effectively enhances both aerobic capacity and strength, similar to specialized endurance and power athletes.
Area of Science:
- Sports Science
- Exercise Physiology
- Human Performance
Background:
- High-intensity functional training (HIFT) integrates diverse exercise modalities including endurance, weightlifting, gymnastics, and plyometrics.
- HIFT practitioners are expected to exhibit physiological characteristics of both endurance and power athletes.
Purpose of the Study:
- To compare the physiological profiles of age-matched endurance, HIFT, and power athletes.
- To determine if HIFT elicits a combined physiological profile.
Main Methods:
- Thirty male athletes (18-38 years) were divided into HIFT (n=10), endurance (END, n=10), and power (POW, n=10) groups.
- Evaluations included anthropometrics, peak oxygen consumption (VO2peak), handgrip strength, lower limb strength (isometric and isokinetic), vertical jump, and anaerobic power (shuttle run test).
Main Results:
- VO2peak/kg was higher in END and HIFT compared to POW athletes, with no significant difference between END and HIFT.
- POW and HIFT athletes demonstrated superior handgrip, countermovement jump, and leg strength compared to END athletes.
- HIFT athletes excelled in dynamic isokinetic tests, while shuttle run performance showed no significant group differences.
Conclusions:
- HIFT programs appear effective in developing both endurance and power capabilities.
- HIFT athletes achieve aerobic levels comparable to endurance athletes and power outputs similar to power athletes.
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