Background and Purpose: Recently high intensity interval training (HIIT) has become an interesting study field for research. However, few studies have been conducted in this domain. Hence, the aim of the present study was to evaluate the effect of two weeks of high intensity interval training (HIIT) on some cardiovascular indices, anaerobic power output, jumping and sprint performances in active female students.
Material and Methods: 20 female students of physical education voluntarily participated as subjects for the study. Subjects were randomly divided into experimental and control groups The pre-tests including estimating VO2max, resting blood pressure, resting heart rate, power output with RAST and Wingate test, 20 meter sprinting, and height of squat jump and countermovement jump were taken in one week. Then, the experimental group was exposed to 2 weeks of HIT for 5 days per week in addition to their routine physical activities. After 48 hours of the last training session, post-tests were administered in both groups. To analyze the data, independent T-test with a significance level of p˂0.05 was used.
Results: Our findings showed significant increases in VO2max, peak, average and minimum power on RAST test and a significant reduction in sprinting time (p < 0.05). However, resting blood pressure, resting heart rate, power output with Wingate test, height of squat jump and countermovement jump and also leg elasticity index did not significantly change after training.
Conclusion: According to results of the present study, it seems that two weeks high intensity interval training can be effective for improving VO2max, sprint performance and increasing anaerobic power in a short time for sports in which running is essential.