TR
EN
Constant and Variable-Intensity Distribution High-Intensity Interval Training Approaches: Which Is More Effective in Increasing Time Spent at Maximal Oxygen Uptake? A Narrative Review
Abstract
The total time spent at high percentages of maximal oxygen uptake (V̇O2max) during a high-intensity interval training (HIIT) session is considered one of the key acute responses for inducing long-term improvements in V̇O2max. Therefore, over the past 15 years, many studies have focused on maximizing the time spent near V̇O2max in constant-intensity HIIT protocols by manipulating variables such as work duration, number of repetitions, recovery duration, and recovery intensity. More recently, however, a limited number of studies have employed strategies that modify the intensity distribution within work bouts in order to increase this time. This narrative review aimed to examine the potential of HIIT strategies with variable intensity distributions to maximize the time spent near V̇O2max compared with constant-intensity HIIT protocols. Accordingly, fast-start, varied-intensity, linearly varying, and stepwise decreasing-intensity protocols were addressed. The findings indicate that, when sufficiently long work bouts are applied to allow V̇O2 to reach maximal levels, variable intensity-distribution HIIT approaches can increase the time spent at V̇O2max compared with traditional constant-intensity protocols. Furthermore, these strategies were found to elicit greater total V̇O2 consumption despite producing similar blood lactate responses and ratings of perceived exertion. These results suggest that HIIT approaches incorporating variable intensity distributions may impose higher aerobic demands.
Keywords
Ethical Statement
This study is a narrative review based on an examination of the existing literature and does not involve any human or animal participants
References
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Details
Primary Language
English
Subjects
Sports Training
Journal Section
Review
Publication Date
December 21, 2025
Submission Date
August 22, 2025
Acceptance Date
November 24, 2025
Published in Issue
Year 2025 Volume: 16 Number: 3
APA
Çabuk, R., & Alp, E. (2025). Constant and Variable-Intensity Distribution High-Intensity Interval Training Approaches: Which Is More Effective in Increasing Time Spent at Maximal Oxygen Uptake? A Narrative Review. Spor Ve Performans Araştırmaları Dergisi, 16(3), 577-591. https://doi.org/10.17155/omuspd.1770805
AMA
1.Çabuk R, Alp E. Constant and Variable-Intensity Distribution High-Intensity Interval Training Approaches: Which Is More Effective in Increasing Time Spent at Maximal Oxygen Uptake? A Narrative Review. Spor ve Performans Araştırmaları Dergisi. 2025;16(3):577-591. doi:10.17155/omuspd.1770805
Chicago
Çabuk, Refik, and Egemen Alp. 2025. “Constant and Variable-Intensity Distribution High-Intensity Interval Training Approaches: Which Is More Effective in Increasing Time Spent at Maximal Oxygen Uptake? A Narrative Review”. Spor Ve Performans Araştırmaları Dergisi 16 (3): 577-91. https://doi.org/10.17155/omuspd.1770805.
EndNote
Çabuk R, Alp E (December 1, 2025) Constant and Variable-Intensity Distribution High-Intensity Interval Training Approaches: Which Is More Effective in Increasing Time Spent at Maximal Oxygen Uptake? A Narrative Review. Spor ve Performans Araştırmaları Dergisi 16 3 577–591.
IEEE
[1]R. Çabuk and E. Alp, “Constant and Variable-Intensity Distribution High-Intensity Interval Training Approaches: Which Is More Effective in Increasing Time Spent at Maximal Oxygen Uptake? A Narrative Review”, Spor ve Performans Araştırmaları Dergisi, vol. 16, no. 3, pp. 577–591, Dec. 2025, doi: 10.17155/omuspd.1770805.
ISNAD
Çabuk, Refik - Alp, Egemen. “Constant and Variable-Intensity Distribution High-Intensity Interval Training Approaches: Which Is More Effective in Increasing Time Spent at Maximal Oxygen Uptake? A Narrative Review”. Spor ve Performans Araştırmaları Dergisi 16/3 (December 1, 2025): 577-591. https://doi.org/10.17155/omuspd.1770805.
JAMA
1.Çabuk R, Alp E. Constant and Variable-Intensity Distribution High-Intensity Interval Training Approaches: Which Is More Effective in Increasing Time Spent at Maximal Oxygen Uptake? A Narrative Review. Spor ve Performans Araştırmaları Dergisi. 2025;16:577–591.
MLA
Çabuk, Refik, and Egemen Alp. “Constant and Variable-Intensity Distribution High-Intensity Interval Training Approaches: Which Is More Effective in Increasing Time Spent at Maximal Oxygen Uptake? A Narrative Review”. Spor Ve Performans Araştırmaları Dergisi, vol. 16, no. 3, Dec. 2025, pp. 577-91, doi:10.17155/omuspd.1770805.
Vancouver
1.Refik Çabuk, Egemen Alp. Constant and Variable-Intensity Distribution High-Intensity Interval Training Approaches: Which Is More Effective in Increasing Time Spent at Maximal Oxygen Uptake? A Narrative Review. Spor ve Performans Araştırmaları Dergisi. 2025 Dec. 1;16(3):577-91. doi:10.17155/omuspd.1770805