Comparison of short term High Intensity Interval Training (HIIT) with RAST and plyometric on some cardiovascular indices, anaerobic power, sprint and jumping performance in active female students

In recent years, although the use of high intensity interval training (HIIT) has been replaced continuous and long term training in patients and athletes, but the practical and field exercise is less used. The aim of this study was to compare the short-term HIIT with RAST, and plyometric exercises on some indices of cardiovascular, anaerobic capacity, and sprint and jumping performance in active female students. For this purpose, 30 female students of physical education voluntarily participated in this study. They were randomly divided into 3 groups: HIIT with RAST, HIIT with plyometric, and control groups. Practicing groups, in addition to their routine physical activity, participated in a training program for 2 weeks, 5 days per week. After 48 hours of last training session, post tests were executed in all 3 groups. Data were analyzed using One-way ANOVA and LSD test. Our findings showed a significant increase in VO2max, and a significant decrease in sprinting time in HIIT with RAST group compared with HIIT with plyometric group (p˂0.05). In addition, a significant increase in VO2max, peak, average and minimum power on RAST test, as well as a significant decrease in sprinting time was seen in HIIT with RAST group compared with control group. Also, a significant increase in VO2max, height of squat jump and countermovement jump was observed in HIIT with plyometric group compared with control group (p˂0.05). According to the results obtained, it seems that HIIT with RAST is more efficient than HIIT with plyometric exercises, but both types of training improve VO2max and sprint performance. So, the combination of these two training program may led to a better results.