Today I read a very interesting article about HIIT workouts and the positives and negatives from doing so.
HIIT stands for High Intensity Interval Training which is a form of cardiovascular exercise alternating between short periods of intense cardio workout with short recovery periods in between in order to quickly raise and lower your heart rate in order to improve athletic stamina but also improve your metabolism. This type of training has been massively influenced by Joe Wicks, the writer of lena in 15 who promotes HIIT workouts as a means of staying lean and becoming fitter.
However today I read an article in November's issue of Women's Health magazine stating that despite all the good HIIT workouts are doing for your BMI that it could be hindering your joints. As stated in the article "Southampton General Hospital links this fast-paced fitness favourite to joint damage in the under thirties" :Women's Health November 2016; Claire Fox.
Obviously the idea of HIIT workouts are short and sharp bursts of cardiovascular exercise however working as hard as you do in these workouts can cause you to fatigue and when done so can ultimately affect your technique and 'lose your form' which ultimately can lead to injuries.
Personally, I am a fan of interval training particularly on the tread mill. I am asthmatic and running for a long period of time can sometimes be the hardest thing in the world, especially if i am run down with a cold. When I am running I tend to walk for a minute on a speed such as 6.0 KPH and then sprint for a minute on 14KPH (I was always a sprinter at school compared to long distance running). This form of training for me allows me to run for longer but also feel like I have achieved something by running for longer than I ever have and consequently in May this year I completed a 10KM Great Manchester Run for the Christie Charity for the first time ever. this wouldn't have been achieved without my commitment to maintaining runs in this way and building up my stamina to not stop running but keep going if not sprinting... by walking quickly.
I am going to research further on this topic, see if others are finding themselves being injured by this form of workout or whether it is miracle worker?
I really would appreciate your comments on this? do you enjoy HIIT workouts? Does it work for you? Is it a YAY or a NAY?
Hi Victoria,
ReplyDeleteInteresting Blog! I personally love HIIT workouts as like you, I'm asthmatic and find running for long periods of time really hard on my breathing. I like the way HIIT workouts are short and sweet, and really effective. However I think you need to acquire the right techniques for all the exercises before you attempt a HIIT workout as the high intensity exercises can fatigue quickly if your fitness level is not on peak form and this can potentially lead to an injury if you're not careful.
I think they're definitely a YAY, if done correctly!
Katrina x
Ok a quick google for research! http://www.acsm.org/docs/brochures/high-intensity-interval-training.pdf - "American College of Sports Medicine. Copyright © 2014 American College of Sports Medicine....
ReplyDeleteBrochure content provided by Len Kravitz, Ph.D."