Effects of High-Intensity Interval Training Protocols on Blood Lactate Levels and Cognition in Healthy Adults: Systematic Review and Meta-Regression

Nithin Jacob; Isis So; Bhanu Sharma; Susan Marzolini; Maria Carmela Tartaglia; Paul Oh; Robin Green

doi:10.1007/s40279-023-01815-2

Effects of High-Intensity Interval Training Protocols on Blood Lactate Levels and Cognition in Healthy Adults: Systematic Review and Meta-Regression

Sports Med. 2023 May;53(5):977-991. doi: 10.1007/s40279-023-01815-2. Epub 2023 Mar 14.

Authors

Nithin Jacob^{1

2

3}, Isis So¹, Bhanu Sharma⁴, Susan Marzolini^{1

3}, Maria Carmela Tartaglia^{5

6}, Paul Oh^{1

3}, Robin Green^{7

8

9}

Affiliations

¹ KITE Research Institute, Toronto Rehabilitation Institute-University Health Network, 550 University Ave, Toronto, ON, M5G 2A2, Canada.
² Rehabilitation Sciences Institute, University of Toronto, Toronto, ON, Canada.
³ University Health Network, Toronto, ON, Canada.
⁴ Department of Medical Sciences, McMaster University, Hamilton, ON, Canada.
⁵ Institute of Medical Science, University of Toronto, Toronto, ON, Canada.
⁶ Tanz Centre for Research in Neurodegenerative Diseases, University of Toronto, Kembril Research Institute, Toronto Western-University Health Network, Toronto, ON, Canada.
⁷ KITE Research Institute, Toronto Rehabilitation Institute-University Health Network, 550 University Ave, Toronto, ON, M5G 2A2, Canada. [email protected].
⁸ Rehabilitation Sciences Institute, University of Toronto, Toronto, ON, Canada. [email protected].
⁹ University Health Network, Toronto, ON, Canada. [email protected].

PMID: 36917435
DOI: 10.1007/s40279-023-01815-2

Abstract

Background: Some health benefits from high-intensity interval training (HIIT) are facilitated by peripheral blood lactate levels. However, the lactate response from HIIT is variable and dependent on protocol parameters.

Objectives: We aimed to determine the HIIT protocol parameters that elicited peak lactate levels, and how these levels are associated with post-HIIT cognitive performance.

Study design: We conducted a systematic review with meta-regression.

Methods: MEDLINE, Embase, CENTRAL, SPORTDiscus, and CINAHL + were searched from database inception to 8 April, 2022. Peer-reviewed primary research in healthy adults that determined lactate (mmol/L) and cognitive performance after one HIIT session was included. Mixed-effects meta-regressions determined the protocol parameters that elicited peak lactate levels, and linear regressions modelled the relationship between lactate levels and cognitive performance.

Results: Study entries (n = 226) involving 2560 participants (mean age 24.1 ± 4.7 years) were included in the meta-regression. A low total work-interval volume (~ 5 min), recovery intervals that are about five times longer than work intervals, and a medium session volume (~ 15 min), elicited peak lactate levels, even when controlling for intensity, fitness (peak oxygen consumption) and blood measurement methods. Lactate levels immediately post-HIIT explained 14-17% of variance in Stroop interference condition at 30 min post-HIIT.

Conclusions: A HIIT protocol that uses the above parameters (e.g., 8 × 30-s maximal intensity with 90-s recovery) can elicit peak lactate, a molecule that is known to benefit the central nervous system and be involved in exercise training adaptations. This review reports the state of the science in regard to the lactate response following HIIT, which is relevant to those in the sports medicine field designing HIIT training programs.

Trial registry: Clinical Trial Registration: PROSPERO (CRD42020204400).

Publication types

Systematic Review

MeSH terms

Adult
Central Nervous System
Cognition
Exercise
High-Intensity Interval Training* / methods
Humans
Lactic Acid
Oxygen Consumption / physiology
Young Adult

Substances

Lactic Acid

Grants and funding

UT458054/Natural Sciences and Engineering Research Council of Canada