Acute effects of high-intensity interval training session and endurance exercise on pulmonary function and cardiorespiratory coupling

The aim of this study was to determine the acute effects of high-intensity interval training (HIIT) exercise and endurance exercise (EE) on pulmonary function, sympathetic/parasympathetic balance, and cardiorespiratory coupling (CRC) in healthy participants. Using a crossover repeated-measurements design, four females and four males were exposed to EE (20 min at 80% maximal heart rate [HR]), HIIT (1 min of exercise at 90% maximal HR per 1 min of rest, 10 times), or control condition (resting). Pulmonary function, HR, CRC, and heart rate variability (HRV) were assessed before and after the interventions. Results revealed no significant effects of EE or HIIT on pulmonary function. The EE, but not HIIT, significantly increased CRC. In contrast, HRV was markedly changed by HIIT, not by EE. Indeed, both the low-frequency (LF_HRV) and high-frequency (HF_HRV) components of HRV were increased and decreased, respectively, after HIIT. The increase in LF_HRV was greater after HIIT than after EE. Therefore, a single bout of HIIT or EE has no effects on pulmonary function. Moreover, CRC and cardiac autonomic regulation are targeted differently by the two exercise modalities.