HIGH-INTENSITY INTERVAL TRAINING: ARE THERE DIFFERENCES IN ADAPTATION OF MAXIMAL OXYGEN UPTAKE BETWEEN MALES AND FEMALES? A SYSTEMATIC REVIEW WITH META-ANALYSIS

Abstract

ABSTRACT Purpose: To evaluate the impact of gender on the adaptation of maximal oxygen uptake in response to high-intensity interval training (HIIT). Methods: A systematic review and meta-analyses were conducted by searching three electronic databases (MEDLINE, SPORT Discus, Sports Medicine, and Education Indexing in ProQuest) to identify controlled and non-controlled trials, comparing the effect of high-intensity interval training on maximal oxygen uptake (VO2max) between males and females adults. Changes in VO2max from pre- to post-intervention and differences between intervention and control groups were meta-analyzed. Meta-analyses were sub-grouped to assess differences between males and females and further sub-grouped to account for baseline training level where appropriate. Heterogeneity was explored using Chi2 and Higgins I2, and the use of sensitivity analysis was pre-determined as a method for exploring potential sources of heterogeneity where required. Results: Of the 6214 identified studies, 27 articles from 24 trials met the inclusion criteria. Three trials could not be included in the meta-analyses due to incomplete data, therefore 21 trials including a total of 581 subjects (298 males and 283 females) were included in the final meta-analyses. The methodological quality of the included studies ranged from moderate to strong according to EPHPP Quality Assessment Tool. Meta-analysis revealed significant overall effects of HIIT for improving maximal oxygen uptake (VO2max) or the peak oxygen consumption (VO2peak) in both sexes, with no significant differences between males and females, regardless of baseline training levels. No significant heterogeneity was present in any of the meta-analyses. Conclusion HIIT demonstrates a significant effect for improving cardiopulmonary fitness levels in trained and untrained males and females without showing a sex-specific difference.  

Date of Award	2021
Original language	American English
Awarding Institution	HBKU College of Health & Life Sciences