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

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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).

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Acknowledgements

The authors thank Jessica Babineau (Information Specialist with Library & Information Services at Toronto Rehabilitation Institute, University Health Network) for the helpful consultations regarding search strategy, screening, data extraction and risk of bias assessments. The authors also thank Dr. Mohammad Alavinia (Biostatistician III at Toronto Rehabilitation Institute, University Health Network) for the helpful consultations regarding the statistical analysis.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. KITE Research Institute, Toronto Rehabilitation Institute-University Health Network, 550 University Ave, Toronto, ON, M5G 2A2, Canada

    Nithin Jacob, Isis So, Susan Marzolini, Paul Oh & Robin Green

  2. Rehabilitation Sciences Institute, University of Toronto, Toronto, ON, Canada

    Nithin Jacob & Robin Green

  3. Institute of Medical Science, University of Toronto, Toronto, ON, Canada

    Maria Carmela Tartaglia

  4. Department of Medical Sciences, McMaster University, Hamilton, ON, Canada

    Bhanu Sharma

  5. Tanz Centre for Research in Neurodegenerative Diseases, University of Toronto, Kembril Research Institute, Toronto Western-University Health Network, Toronto, ON, Canada

    Maria Carmela Tartaglia

  6. University Health Network, Toronto, ON, Canada

    Nithin Jacob, Susan Marzolini, Paul Oh & Robin Green

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Correspondence to Robin Green.

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Funding

This review is funded by the Canada Research Chairs Program and the Natural Sciences and Engineering Research Council of Canada Discovery Grant (UT458054) to the senior author. Donor funds were provided by the Walter and Maria Schroeder Family Foundation and by the Brain Changes Initiative.

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Nithin Jacob, Isis So, Bhanu Sharma, Susan Marzolini, Maria Carmela Tartaglia, Paul Oh and Robin Green have no conflicts of interest that are directly relevant to the content of this article.

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NJ conceived the study, completed all statistical analyses and wrote the first manuscript draft. NJ and IS independently screened titles, abstracts, and full texts, and extracted data. BS reviewed all conflicts during screening, and provided valuable guidance during data extraction and analyses. IS, BS, SM, CT, PO and RG critically edited and revised the draft manuscript, and provided input throughout the review process. All authors read and approved the final manuscript.

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Jacob, N., So, I., Sharma, B. et al. Effects of High-Intensity Interval Training Protocols on Blood Lactate Levels and Cognition in Healthy Adults: Systematic Review and Meta-Regression. Sports Med 53, 977–991 (2023). https://doi.org/10.1007/s40279-023-01815-2

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