The effect of very low volume high intensity training
Research type
Research Study
Full title
The effect of very low volume high intensity training on aerobic fitness
IRAS ID
174120
Contact name
Niels Vollaard
Contact email
Sponsor organisation
*University of Bath
Duration of Study in the UK
0 years, 6 months, 21 days
Research summary
Becoming and staying physically active is a key part to staying healthy. The NHS recommends that we take 30 minutes of moderate physical activities most days of the week. Many of us are not able to achieve this. A growing amount of research shows that performing regular short bursts of cycling sprints can have important health benefits. This type of exercise is called HIT or high intensity training. On the basis of recent research we think that as little as 5 minutes of exercise three times a week may be enough to improve fitness levels. We would like to find out whether reducing the amount of HIT to just a single 20-second cycle sprint followed by a warm down of light exercise is enough to achieve the benefits we have seen with longer exercise sessions including two or more sprints. We will randomise participants to HIT or control groups and will measure changes in aerobic fitness and glucose tolerance after 4 weeks of 20 second HIT training three times a week. This will help us to understand more about whether HIT may be an satisfactory alternative for those who do not participate in regular aerobic exercise.
REC name
South West - Central Bristol Research Ethics Committee
REC reference
15/SW/0133
Date of REC Opinion
8 Oct 2015
REC opinion
Further Information Favourable Opinion