Effect of High-Intensity Interval Training on Cardiovascular Endurance in College Athletes

Abstract

The study aimed to examine the effect of High-Intensity Interval Training (HIIT) on cardiovascular endurance among college athletes. Thirty male and female athletes (aged 18–22 years) from various sports disciplines were selected and divided into two groups: experimental (HIIT group) and control. The experimental group underwent an 8-week HIIT program, while the control group followed their regular training schedule. Cardiovascular endurance was assessed using the Cooper 12-Minute Run Test before and after the intervention. Data were analysed using paired t-tests and independent t-tests. The results indicated a significant improvement (p < 0.05) in the experimental group’s mean endurance score compared to the control group. The study concludes that HIIT is an effective method for improving cardiovascular endurance in collegiate athletes and can be incorporated into athletic conditioning programs.