Differential Effects of High-Intensity Interval Training on Exercise Performance in Populations with Different Fitness Levels
Main Article Content
Abstract
High-intensity interval training (HIIT) can effectively improve exercise performance, but populations with different fitness levels show distinct physiological responses under the same training stimulus. In this study, 156 subjects were stratified into high-, medium-, and low-fitness groups according to maximal oxygen uptake, lactate threshold, and muscle strength. A standardized 12-week HIIT intervention was implemented, and multidimensional exercise performance indicators, including aerobic capacity, anaerobic power, and exercise economy, were systematically measured. The results show that the low-fitness group achieved the greatest relative improvement in VO2max and other basic aerobic indicators, the high-fitness group showed more prominent improvement in exercise economy, and the medium-fitness group presented balanced adaptive characteristics. These differential effects are mainly attributed to differences in initial physiological reserves, metabolic system plasticity, and tolerance to training load. Based on the dynamic characteristics of training response curves and wearable sensor data, a fitness level–training adaptability prediction model was established. This study provides empirical evidence for individualized training optimization and offers engineering references for wearable sensing, wireless physiological monitoring, and intelligent human-performance evaluation.
Downloads
Article Details
This work is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution 4.0 International License.
Authors who publish with this journal agree to the following terms:
- Authors retain copyright and grant the journal right of first publication with the work simultaneously licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution License that allows others to share the work with an acknowledgement of the work's authorship and initial publication in this journal.
- Authors are able to enter into separate, additional contractual arrangements for the non-exclusive distribution of the journal's published version of the work (e.g., post it to an institutional repository or publish it in a book), with an acknowledgement of its initial publication in this journal.
- Authors are permitted and encouraged to post their work online (e.g., in institutional repositories or on their website) prior to and during the submission process, as it can lead to productive exchanges, as well as earlier and greater citation of published work (See The Effect of Open Access).
References
A. M. Coates, M. J. Joyner, J. P. Little, A. M. Jones, and M. J. Gibala, “A Perspective on High-Intensity Interval Training for Performance and Health,” Sports medicine, vol. 53, no. 1S, pp. 85–96, 2023, doi: 10.1007/S40279-023-01938-6.
M. A. Soriano, D. Boullosa, and F. Amaro-Gahete, “Editorial: Functional fitness/high intensity functional training for health and performance,” Frontiers in Physiology, vol. 13, Art. no. 1024809, 2022, doi: 10.3389/FPHYS.2022.1024809.
Y. Jiang and L. Gan, “Research on College Physical Education Teaching Practice Based on Classification and Stratification of Health Fitness,” Journal of Asian Society for Health & Exercise, vol. 5, no. 1, pp. 1–14, 2023.
G. Dan, S. Patrick, K. Don, V. Merzbach, M. Gernigon, and H. Chung, “Quantifying the effects of four weeks of low-volume high-intensity sprint interval training on VO2max through assessment of hemodynamics,” The Journal of sports medicine and physical fitness, vol. 60, no. 1, pp. 53–61, 2020, doi: 10.23736/S0022-4707.19.09912-2.
E. Bibić, V. Milić, M. Radaković, D. Ćeremidžic, S. Andrašić, G. Korobeynikovet, et al., “Effects of change of direction during high-intensity interval training on physical performance in young football players,” Scientific Reports, vol. 15, no. 1, Art. no. 33865, 2025, doi: 10.1038/S41598-025-07256-3.
M. Grammenou, L. K. Kendall, J. C. Wilson, T. Porter, S. M. Laws, and G. G. Haff, “Effect of Fitness Level on Time Course of Recovery After Acute Strength and High-Intensity Interval Training,” Journal of strength and conditioning research, vol. 38, no. 12, pp. 2055–2064, 2024, doi: 10.1519/JSC.0000000000004924.
M. Lenk, M. Matzka, L. Lauber, P. Kunz, and B. Sperlich, “Impact of weekly frequency of high-intensity interval training on cardiorespiratory, metabolic, and performance measures in recreational runners - An exploratory study,” Physiological reports, vol. 13, no. 18, Art. no. e70573, 2025, doi: 10.14814/PHY2.70573.
I. Mujika, N. Bourdillon, R. G. D. Txabarri, and G. P. Millet, “High-Intensity Interval Training, Performance, and Oxygen Uptake Kinetics in Highly Trained Traditional Rowers,” International journal of sports physiology and performance, vol. 18, no. 3, pp. 1–5, 2023, doi: 10.1123/IJSPP.2022-0323.
T. L. Possamai, A. G. L. Guglielmo, F. A. Salvador, B. S. Denadai, and P. C. D. N. Salvador, “Effects of high-intensity interval training and resistance training on physiological parameters and performance of well-trained runners: A randomized controlled trial,” Journal of sports sciences, vol. 42, no. 9, pp. 1–8, 2024, doi: 10.1080/02640414.2024.2364425.
Z. Wang and J. Wang, “The effects of high-intensity interval training versus moderate-intensity continuous training on athletes’ aerobic endurance performance parameters,” European journal of applied physiology, vol. 124, no. 8, pp. 2235–2249, 2024, doi: 10.1007/S00421-024-05532-0.
A. Ghaith, S. Chacaroun, A. Borowik, L. Chatel, S. Doutreleau, B. Wuyam, et al., “Hypoxic high-intensity interval training in individuals with overweight and obesity,” American journal of physiology. Regulatory, integrative and comparative physiology, vol. 323, no. 5, Art. no. R700-R709, 2022, doi: 10.1152/AJPREGU.00049.2022.
P. Juri´c, D. A. Dudley, and P. Petocz, “Does incorporating high intensity interval training in physical education classes improve fitness outcomes of students? A cluster randomized controlled trial,” Preventive Medicine Reports, vol. 32, Art. no. 102127, 2023, doi: 10.1016/J.PMEDR.2023.102127.
A. H. Bossi, U. Naumann, L. Passfield, and J. Hopker, “Modelling inter-individual variability in acute and adaptive responses to interval training: insights into exercise intensity normalisation,” European journal of applied physiology, vol. 124, no. 4, pp. 1201–1216, 2023, doi: 10.1007/S00421-023-05340-Y.
B. Kang, D. Kim, S. Yoon, D. Kim, H. Lee, D. Lee, et al., “Consistent assessment of heart rate recovery across exercise intensities,” Biomedical Signal Processing and Control, vol. 112, no. PC, Art. no. 108690, 2026, doi: 10.1016/J.BSPC.2025.108690.
C. Soegaard, S. Riis, F. J. Mortensen, and M. Hansen, “Carbohydrate Restriction During Recovery from High-Intensity–Interval Training Enhances Fat Oxidation During Subsequent Exercise and Does Not Compromise Performance When Combined With Caffeine,” Current Developments in Nutrition, vol. 9, no. 1, Art. no. 104520, 2025, doi: 10.1016/J.CDNUT.2024.104520.
L. Tian, C. Jie, and H. Guo, “Sequencing Effects of Sprint Interval Training Applied Before or After Regular Basketball Training on Sex-Specific Physical Performance Adaptations in Young Athletes,” International journal of sports physiology and performance, vol. 20, no. 12, pp. 1654–1664, 2025, doi: 10.1123/IJSPP.2025-0245.