Related Experiment Video
Updated: Sep 24, 2025

Short Session High Intensity Interval Training and Treadmill Assessment in Aged Mice
Published on: February 2, 2019
Effects of Essential Amino Acids on High-Intensity Interval Training Performance, Fatigue Outcomes, and Workload
Katie R Hirsch1, Hannah E Cabre2,3, Lacey M Gould2
1Center for Translational Research in Aging & Longevity, Department of Geriatrics, Donald W. Reynolds Institute on Aging, University of Arkansas for Medical Sciences, Little Rock, Arkansas, USA.
Objective:
To explore the effects of essential amino acid (EAA) supplementation on high-intensity interval training (HIIT) fatigue, perceived exertion, and training progression in overweight and obese adults. A secondary aim was to explore potential sex-differences on these outcomes.
Methods:
Thirty-seven untrained adults (51% female; 36.2 ± 5.9 yrs; 35.5 ± 6.7% body fat) completed eight weeks of HIIT, 2d/wk on a cycle ergometer, either with EAA supplementation (HIIT + EAA; 3.6 g of EAA twice daily, 30 minutes pre and post HIIT) or without supplementation (HIIT). Heart rate (HR) and ratings of perceived exertion (RPE) were recorded throughout each session as indices of within training fatigue. Time to exhaustion (TTE) was recorded for the final interval of each session. Workload progression was determined by change in watts. Differences between groups (with and without EAA) were evaluated at 1wk, 4wks, and 8wks by repeated measure ANOVAs (α = 0.05).
Results:
There were no differences in TTE (p = 0.983) or workload progression (p = 0.655) with EAA supplementation at any time point. HR and RPE within HIIT sessions were not significantly different with EAA supplementation at any time point (p > 0.05). Results were similar when evaluating males and females separately, but in females, RPE was significantly lower with EAA supplementation at 4wks (Δ: 1.1-2.2; p = 0.016).
Conclusion:
EAA supplementation did not extend TTE during exercise or enhance workload progression across eight weeks of HIIT in untrained, overweight and obese adults. However, EAA consumed 30 minutes before exercise may reduce perceived exertion during the first four weeks of training in women, which may have implications for overall exercise enjoyment and long-term adherence.
More Related Videos
08:27A Real-World High-Intensity Interval Training Protocol for Cardiorespiratory Fitness Improvement
Published on: February 22, 2022
07:40Impact of High-intensity Interval Exercise and Moderate-Intensity Continuous Exercise on the Cardiac Troponin T Level at an Early Stage of Training
Published on: October 10, 2019
Related Concept Videos
Muscle Recovery and Fatigue
Exercise and Muscle Performance
Endurance exercises
Endurance exercises involve running, swimming, or cycling, which require repetitive movements with low force output. When a person engages in endurance exercise, a few noticeable changes occur in their skeletal muscles. For instance, the number of capillaries...
Exercise and Cardiovascular Response
Light to moderate physical activity initiates a series of interconnected responses in the body. The heart rate modestly increases in anticipation of the workout, followed by widespread vasodilation as oxygen consumption by skeletal muscles increases. This results in decreased peripheral resistance, increased capillary blood flow, and accelerated...
Exercise and Cardiac Output
Sustained exercise increases the muscles' oxygen demand, which can be...
Amino Acid Biosynthetic Pathways
Amino Acid Catabolism