Abstract
This study investigated acute responses and post 24-h recovery to four running sessions
performed at different intensity zones by supine heart rate variability, countermovement
jump, and a submaximal running test. A total of 24 recreationally endurance-trained
male subjects performed 90 min low-intensity (LIT), 30 min moderate-intensity (MOD),
6×3 min high-intensity interval (HIIT) and 10×30 s supramaximal-intensity interval
(SMIT) exercises on a treadmill. Heart rate variability decreased acutely after all
sessions, and the decrease was greater after MOD compared to LIT and SMIT (p<0.001;
p<0.01) and HIIT compared to LIT (p<0.01). Countermovement jump decreased only after
LIT (p<0.01) and SMIT (p<0.001), and the relative changes were different compared
to MOD (p<0.01) and HIIT (p<0.001). Countermovement jump remained decreased at 24 h
after SMIT (p<0.05). Heart rate during the submaximal running test rebounded below
the baseline 24 h after all sessions (p<0.05), while the rating of perceived exertion
during the running test remained elevated after HIIT (p<0.05) and SMIT (p<0.01). The
current results highlight differences in the physiological demands of the running
sessions, and distinct recovery patterns of the measured aspects of performance. Based
on these results, assessments of performance and recovery from multiple perspectives
may provide valuable information for endurance athletes, and help to improve the quality
of training monitoring.
Key words
endurance training - interval training - recovery - countermovement jump - heart rate
variability - submaximal running test
