Description of training loads using whole body exercise during high-intensity-interval-training

Aim: Recently, the association between HIIT and exercises using whole body mass or HIIT body work has gained popularity in fitness clubs and amongst professional athletes, however, knowledge about the acute adaptations of training load parameters of this modality is still inconclusive.

Materials and methods: 20 male individuals (24 ± 3 years) performed a HIIT body work protocol consisting of a single bout of exercise with 1:1 stimuli. The exercises used were: 30” in duration with “all out” intensity. The exercises included jumping jack, mountain climb, burpee and squat jump. There were time durations of 30” observed for passive recovery, totaling 20 minutes of exercise. During exercise, total movement capacity, blood lactate measurement, rate of perceived exertion and recovery, training load and intensity were monitored.

Results: All subjects performed the single bout of exercise without presenting any injury. The single bout examined had a total amount of 382 ± 89 movements. However, differences (p<0.01) in the total amount of movement for each exercise were noted indicating difficulty of maintenance of exercise over time. Increases in lactate concentration (Before: 0.98 ± 0.16, after: 14.10 ± 1.66; mMol/L) were found post exercise session. Statistical differences (p<0.01) were found after the fifth set and remained higher compared to the first set for movement capacity, demonstrating high load in one single session. No differences (p>0.05) were found in RPE during sets, however, from the second set the rate of perceived recuperation values were statistically (p<0.01) lower than the first set.

Conclusion: the exercise protocol used in this study was of a high intensity and produced large values for stress during performance, with increase recorded in the internal load indicators such as heart rate, lactate concentration, effort and perception of recovery. Additionally, there was also an impairment of the external load indicators associated with the number of movements performed during the series.