Does Sprint Interval Training Cause Interference in Concurrent Training? A Meta-Analysis Study

Area of Science:

• Exercise Physiology
• Sports Science
• Human Performance

Background:

• Concurrent training (CT) combining endurance and strength can cause interference effects.
• Sprint interval training (SIT) is proposed to mitigate CT interference.
• Limited research exists on SIT-based CT's impact on neuromuscular and cardiorespiratory adaptations.

Purpose of the Study:

• To systematically review and meta-analyze the effects of SIT-based CT on strength, hypertrophy, VO₂max, and sprint performance.
• To compare SIT+RT interventions against resistance training (RT) alone.

Main Methods:

• Systematic review and meta-analysis adhering to PRISMA 2020 guidelines.
• Searched PubMed, Embase, and SPORTDiscus for eligible randomized controlled trials.
• Included studies with healthy adults (≥18 years) involving at least six supervised sessions over two weeks.

Main Results:

• No significant differences were found in lower-body strength, upper-body strength, jump performance, or sprint performance between SIT+RT and RT alone.
• SIT+RT significantly improved maximal oxygen consumption (VO₂max) compared to RT alone.
• Short sprint protocols (≤10 s) within SIT-based CT showed greater improvements in jump performance.

Conclusions:

• Incorporating SIT into CT enhances cardiorespiratory fitness without compromising strength or power.
• SIT-based CT may potentiate jump performance, particularly when utilizing short sprint durations.
• SIT presents a viable option to attenuate potential interference effects in concurrent training.