Comparison of Effect of High-Intensity Interval Training and Aerobic Training on Respiratory Volumes in Female Students

BACKGROUND: Sedentary lifestyle can cause the deterioration of respiratory indices. The interventions, such as physical activity programs, might prevent such deterioration. This study aimed to compare the effect of high-intensity interval training (HIIT) and aerobic training on the respiratory volumes in female students. MATERIALS AND METHODS: In this semi-experimental study, 30 healthy inactive volunteer female students (age: 26.3±4.30 years; height: 1.63±8.36 m; body mass index: 20–28 kg/m(2)) were divided randomly into two HIIT and aerobic training groups. The aerobic training consisted of three sessions of 50–60 minutes of exercise with an intensity of 70–85% of the maximum heart rate per week for 4 weeks. Additionally, the HIIT program included six repetitions of 4 minutes with an intensity of 90–95% of maximum heart rate for 4 weeks on a treadmill. Spirometry tests were performed to determine lung function before and after the training protocols. The data were analyzed by the independent and dependent t-tests at p < 0.05. RESULTS: The results showed that aerobic training significantly improved the forced expiratory volume in one second (P=0.045), forced expiratory flow (FEF) within 25–75% (P=0.002), and peak expiratory flow (P=0.003); however, HIIT did not have a significant effect on these indicators. There was no significant difference between the two types of training in any of the indicators except for FEF within 25–75%. CONCLUSION: According to the study results, aerobic training might be more effective in the improvement of pulmonary parameters than intense training.