CARDIO-RESPIRATORY RESPONSES TO HIIT: EVIDENCE OF PERSISTENT PHYSIOLOGICAL STRESS DURING RECOVERY
DOI:
https://doi.org/10.22551/MSJ.2026.03.06Keywords:
HIGH-INTENSITY INTERVAL TRAINING (HIIT), CARDIO-RESPIRATORY RESPONSE, VENTILATORY FATIGUE, SPIROMETRY, OXYGEN DESATURATION, HEART RATE RECOVERY, RESPIRATORY MUSCLES, EPOC, EXERCISE PHYSIOLOGY, WOMEN, CARDIOVASCULAR STRESS, RECOVERY KINETICSAbstract
High-Intensity Interval Training (HIIT) represents one of the most effective and widely used exercise strategies for improving cardio-respiratory fitness and inducing metabolic adaptations. The aim of the present study was to analyze the acute cardio-respiratory and ventilatory responses induced by a circuit-based HIIT protocol in physically active women. Materials and methods: The study included 24 female participants (age: 24.37 ± 6.63 years; height: 167.25 ± 5.34 cm; weight: 66.08 ± 12.17 kg; sports experience: 4.8 ± 2.4 years). The experimental protocol consisted of a circuit-based HIIT training session involving repeated intervals of high-intensity exercise alternated with short recovery periods. Cardio-respiratory parameters were assessed before exercise, during exercise, and after a 10-minute recovery period using the Spirobank II Smart spirometer. The analyzed variables included heart rate (HR), peripheral oxygen saturation (SpO₂), Forced Vital Capacity (FVC), Forced Expiratory Volume in one second (FEV1), Maximum Voluntary Ventilation (MVV), and rating of perceived exertion (Borg scale). Results: revealed significant physiological alterations following the HIIT protocol. Significant reductions were observed in ventilatory parameters, including FVC, FEV1, MVV, and MVV%, while heart rate increased significantly during exercise and remained elevated following recovery. SpO₂ values decreased significantly during effort and remained below baseline values after the recovery period. In addition, high Borg scale scores confirmed the substantial physiological demand induced by the exercise protocol. The findings suggest that circuit-based HIIT induces substantial acute cardio-respiratory and ventilatory stress, with persistent physiological alterations observed even after the recovery period. These responses may be associated with mechanisms such as ventilatory fatigue, excess post-exercise oxygen consumption (EPOC), oxygen desaturation, and delayed autonomic recovery. Conclusions: The study highlights the importance of monitoring cardio-respiratory parameters during HIIT protocols and supports the role of HIIT as an effective strategy for inducing cardio-metabolic and ventilatory adaptations in physically active women.
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