Effects of high-intense stimuli on continuous running exercise at the ventilatory threshold

Summary Aims To verify the effects of previous interval training session on physiological and kinematic parameters during continuous running at ventilatory threshold. Methods Ten healthy male performed initially an incremental running test, in order to determine ventilatory threshold and maximal aerobic capacity. In another session, subjects performed three tasks as follows: (1) previous five-minute run at ventilatory threshold. After ten minutes rest: (2) interval training session (8 × 1-min at maximal velocity, alternated to one-minute at 50% maximal velocity). After 15 minutes rest: (3) posterior five-minute run at ventilatory threshold. Heart rate, ventilation, blood glucose and lactate concentrations, perceived exertion, stride frequency, stance period and swing period were compared before and after the interval training session. Results Significant increases were found in heart rate (∼12%), ventilation (∼23%), blood glucose (∼28%), blood lactate (230%), perceived exertion (∼25%) and stride frequency (∼5%) after interval training. Conclusion High-intense running stimuli affect physiological, perceptual and kinematics of a constant moderate intensity running, which could influence training session programmes, considering the impairment overall running performance.