@Article{Yang2026,
journal="Biology of Sport",
issn="0860-021X",
volume="43",
number="1",
year="2026",
title="Repeated sprint training induces prolonged residual fatigue 
compared to other high-intensity interval training modalities 
in middle-distance runners",
abstract="This	study	aimed	to	monitor	the	kinetics	of	neuromuscular	fatigue	and	inflammation	indices	in	middle-distance runners following exposure to three different high-intensity interval training (HIIT) modalities: short-interval	HIIT,	long-interval	HIIT,	and	repeated	sprint	training	(RST).	A crossover	repeated-measures	design	was	used	involving	33 male	middle-distance	runners	(19.6	±	2.3 years)	who	completed	short-interval	HIIT,	longinterval HIIT, and RST. Neuromuscular performance was assessed using the countermovement jump (CMJ) and isometric	mid-thigh	pull	(IMTP),	while	inflammatory	(salivary	IL-6)	and	perceptual	markers	(delayed	onset	muscle	soreness, DOMS and perceived recovery scale, PRS) were measured at rest, immediately post-exercise, and at 24 and	48 hours	post-exercise	to	evaluate	changes	over	time.	All	variables	showed	significant	main	effects	of	time	and	modality,	as	well	as	interactions	(p < 0.001).	Immediately	post-exercise,	RST	consistently	induced	the	greatest	acute	fatigue,	evidenced	by	larger	declines	in	CMJ	(9.6%)	and	IMTP	(6.7%),	an	increase	in	IL-6,	and	a 56.8%	drop	in	PRS.	At	24 hours	post-exercise,	RST	still	showed	significantly	reduced	performance	(CMJ	and	IMTP)	and	elevated	inflammation	(IL-6)	compared	to	short	and	long-HIIT.	DOMS	peaked	at	24 hours	in	the	RST	group,	which	also	reported	lower	perceived	recovery.	By	48 hours,	performance	and	inflammatory	markers	largely	returned	to	baseline	across	all	groups.	However,	RST	continued	to	show	higher	DOMS	and	lower	PRS	than	both	short	and	long-HIIT	(p < 0.001).	These	findings	suggest	that	RST	induces	a more	pronounced	and	prolonged	recovery	period	compared	to	both	short-	and	long-interval	HIIT.	Coaches	should	consider	that	recovery	following	RST	sessions	may	require	up	to	at	least	48 hours,	which	is	longer	than	for	short-	or	long-interval	HIIT.",
author="Yang, Kai
and Xia, Yang
and Filipa Silva, Ana",
pages="631--645",
doi="10.5114/biolsport.2026.156227",
url="http://dx.doi.org/10.5114/biolsport.2026.156227"
}