Training for recovery: impact of sprint interval training on recovery dynamics and aerobic performance in kickboxing athletes

Purpose
Recovery within and between rounds is crucial to combat sports performance. We sought to determine whether sprint interval training (SIT) improves recovery dynamics and aerobic performance.

Methods
Eleven male kickboxing athletes (26 ± 5 years; body mass index 25 ± 3 kg/m²) were recruited. Participants were tested three times for VO_2peak/time to exhaustion and critical power; baseline, 3 weeks control, 3 weeks of SIT (8 × 10 s lower body sprints followed by a maximum of 10 min recovery before completing 8 × 10 s upper body sprints). During SIT session 1 and 9 continuous gas analysis was performed.

Results
There was a significant reduction in recovery time between lower and upper body sprints with training (session 1: 441 ± 150 s; session 9: 268 ± 10 s; P < 0.01; d = 2.77) and change in oxygen off-kinetics amplitude (session1: 3.0 ± 0.7 L/min, session 9: 3.6 ± 1.0 L/min; P < 0.05; d = − 1.77), VO₂ end (session 1: 0.59 ± 0.19 L/min, session 9: 0.81 ± 0.21 L/min; P < 0.05, d = − 0.90), time constant (session 1: 81 ± 21 s; session 9: 60 ± 11 s; P < 0.05; d = 1.03). Following training there was a significant improvement in critical power (P < 0.05; η²_p = 0.72) time to exhaustion (P < 0.05; η²_p = 0.30) but not VO_2peak (P > 0.05).

Conclusion
SIT improves recovery time associated and aerobic performance associated with improved oxygen off-kinetics. Therefore, training needs to focus on improving oxygen off-kinetics to enhance combat performance.