COMPARISON OF EPOC AND RECOVERY ENERGY EXPENDITURE BETWEEN HIIT AND CONTINUOUS AEROBIC EXERCISE TRAINING

ABSTRACT Objectives: The objective of this study was to compare EPOC - excess post-exercise oxygen consumption and recovery energy expenditure between high intensity interval aerobic exercise (HIIT) and continuous aerobic exercise in adult amateur runners. Methods: The study included 10 runners, with a mean age of 35.7 ± 5.87 years, height 1.69 ± 0.11 m; body mass 74.13 ± 11.26 kg; fat percentage 19.31 ± 4.27% and maximal oxygen consumption (VO2max) of 3.50 ± 0.64 l/kg/min-1. The continuous aerobic exercise protocol consisted of 20 minutes of running with intensity of 70-75% HRmax. Two 20-second cycles of 8 sprints were performed for HIIT at the highest possible speed, with 10 seconds of rest and a 3-minute interval between cycles. The sample group performed the two protocols at least 48 hours and at most one week apart. EPOC was observed using ergospirometry after the running protocols, and mean consumption was analyzed between 25-30 minutes after exercise. Oxygen consumption at 9-10 minutes was used for resting consumption. The study has a cross-sectional experimental design. Results: Oxygen consumption of 0.57 ± 0.29l/kg/min1 and energy expenditure of 2.84 ± 1.44 kcal/min were observed for continuous aerobic exercise, with values of 0.61 ± 0.62 l/kg/min−1 and 3.06 ± 1.10 kcal/min respectively (p