NCT07024290

Cardiorespiratory Adaptations to High-Intensity Inter-val Training in Young Boxers

Cardiorespiratory Adaptations to High-Intensity Inter-val Training in Young Boxers: A Randomized Con-trolled Study

• Status: Completed
• Phase: N/A
• Study type: Interventional
• Enrollment: 16 (actual)
• Sponsor: Princess Nourah Bint Abdulrahman University · Academic / Other
• Sex: All
• Age: 21 Years – 35 Years
• Healthy volunteers: Accepted

Summary

This study examined the effects of a structured 4-week high-intensity interval training (HIIT) program integrated with boxing on young trained individuals. Participants were randomly assigned to a HIIT-boxing group or a control group. Pre- and post-intervention assessments measured pulmonary function, aerobic capacity (VO₂max), and heart rate recovery (HRR) at 1, 3, and 5 minutes post-exercise. The study aimed to explore physiological adaptations, particularly improvements in cardiopulmonary and autonomic function. Integrating HIIT with boxing training may serve as an effective conditioning strategy for enhancing aerobic fitness, pulmonary function, and autonomic cardiovascular regulation in trained individuals. This combined approach could be valuable in sports performance programs and rehabilitation settings where improving VO₂max and recovery efficiency is a priority.

Detailed description

Background: High-intensity interval training (HIIT) has been recognized for its effectiveness in enhancing cardiorespiratory fitness. However, their combined application in boxing training remains underexplored. This study aimed to investigate the physiological adaptations induced by a structured 4-week HIIT-boxing regimen, with a specific focus on pulmonary function, aerobic capacity, and autonomic cardiovascular regulation, assessed by heart rate recovery (HRR). Methods: Sixteen trained young individuals were randomly assigned to either the HIIT-boxing group or the control group. Comprehensive assessments, including pulmonary function tests, peak oxygen uptake (VO2max), and HRR at the 1st, 3rd, and 5th minutes post-exercise, were conducted pre- and post-intervention.

Conditions

• Healthy Volunteer
• Young

Interventions

Type	Name	Description
BEHAVIORAL	HITT	The experimental group completed a 4-week HIIT-boxing protocol, in addition to regular boxing sessions. HIIT consisted of three weekly sessions, each including three blocks of five 30-second all-out punching intervals on a heavy bag, with 6-second rest between efforts and 1-minute rest between blocks. Heart rate was monitored throughout, confirming training intensities of 88-92% HRmax, consistent with high-intensity training standards in combat sports.
OTHER	Regular training	Participants in control groups followed a boxing training program for a period of four weeks, with sessions conducted three times per week. Each session lasted 90 min and was structured in alignment with the established training principles for amateur boxing. The training began with a 15-minute general warm-up phase, including dynamic mobility drills and calisthenics, to elevate core temperature and enhance neuromuscular readiness.

Timeline

• Start date: 2024-02-25
• Primary completion: 2024-06-25
• Completion: 2024-07-25
• First posted: 2025-06-17
• Last updated: 2025-06-17

Locations

1 site across 1 country: Turkey (Türkiye)