Effect of changes in blood fatigue indicators, inflammatory markers, and stress hormone levels on 100-m records of sprinters following an 8-week intense interval training

This study aimed to examine the changes in the blood fatigue indicators, inflammatory markers, and stress hormones following an 8-week intensity interval training in sprinters, and to investigate the effects on changes in the 100-m sprint records. Twenty sprinters from a boys’ high school were equally assigned to high-intensity and medium-intensity interval training groups, and three 60-min interval training sessions were performed per week for 8 weeks, for a total of 24 sessions. Exercise intensity was defined as 85%–95% and 75%–85% of heart rate reserve for high- and medium-intensity training, respectively. At rest, both groups had an exercise intensity of 60% of the heart rate reserve. Our results showed decreased fatigue indicators, inflammatory markers, and stress hormone levels after high-intensity and medium-intensity interval training, with no difference between the training levels. In addition, the 100-m sprint records were different in high- and medium-intensity interval training groups, based on the lactate dehydrogenase and adrenocorticotropic hormone levels. In conclusion, medium-intensity interval training with a reserve heart rate of ≥75% can have a positive effect on blood fatigue indicators, inflammatory markers, and stress hormones in sprinters. Specifically, the changes in adrenocorticotropic hormone level seen in the high-intensity interval training group were found to have a significant effect on the 100-m sprinting records.