BacKGrouNd: Sprint interval training (SiT) improves maximal aerobic and anaerobic performance, including oxygen uptake (Vo2max), power output, and sprint performance. This study aimed to investigate the effect of SiT load on V̇ o2max in trained subjects. METHODSːSIT was performed twice a week for three weeks by twenty-four trained men (aged: 20.7±2.7, V̇ o2max 43.6±6.5) and consisted of seven bouts of 10-s cycling sprints followed by a 4-min rest. Subjects were divided into two groups depending on the relative resistance of the load compared to their body mass (BM): 7.5% (S7.5) and 10% (S10). We measured the peak power, mean power, and peak cadence in SIT during the first and final sessions. V̇ o2max, maximum aerobic power (Map), heart rate, and lactate (la) concentration were measured before and after SiT using incremental tests. ̇ ̇ reSulTS: after 3 weeks of SiT, Vo2max, MAP, and La improved significantly in both S7̇.5 and S10 groups. In addition, changes in Vo2max in S10 were higher than those in S7.5 (2.2±11.2% vs. 9.23±9.57%, p=0.029, adjusted by pre Vo2max). Map measurements showed the same results (2.2±11.3% vs. 8.3±10.0%, P=0.015, adjusted by pre-MAP). However, there was no significant interaction between time and group. A significant increase in peak cadence from first session to sixth sessions was observed in S7.5 (P=0.01, ES = 0.93, 95% confidence interval [CI]: 0.02–1.78) but not in S10 (P=0.132, ES = 0.22, 95% [CI]: -0.59–1.01).
