THE IMPACT OF HIGH-INTENSITY INTERVAL TRAINING (HIIT) ON CARDIOVASCULAR FITNESS IN COLLEGE-LEVEL ATHLETES
Abstract
High-Intensity Interval Training (HIIT) has emerged as a popular and effective method for enhancing cardiovascular fitness among athletes. This study investigates the impact of an 8-week HIIT program on the cardiovascular fitness of college-level athletes. Forty athletes from various sports were selected and divided into two groups: an experimental group that underwent HIIT training and a control group that continued with their usual training regimen. The HIIT program consisted of three weekly sessions, each comprising a 5-minute warm-up, 20 minutes of HIIT (30 seconds of maximum effort followed by 1 minute of active recovery), and a 5-minute cool-down. Pre- and post-intervention assessments included VO2 max tests, resting heart rate measurements, and blood pressure monitoring. The results demonstrated significant improvements in VO2 max, reductions in resting heart rate, and lower blood pressure in the HIIT group compared to the control group. These findings suggest that HIIT is an effective training method for improving cardiovascular fitness in college-level athletes, offering a time-efficient alternative to traditional training methods. This research provides valuable insights for coaches and athletes seeking to optimize training regimens and enhance athletic performance through innovative and efficient training practices.
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