Resumen de Effect of Equated Continuous and Interval Running Programs on Endurance Performance and Jump Capacity

José Luis Tuimil, Daniel A. Boullosa Álvarez, Miguel Ángel Fernández del Olmo, Ferran A. Rodríguez Guisado

• We evaluated the effect of 2 different interval and continuous training programs on the maximal aerobic speed (MAS), time limit at MAS (Tlim), and on the countermovement jump (CMJ). Twenty-two physically active men were randomly distributed in an interval training group (ITG), continuous training group (CTG), and control group. The CTG and ITG performed 2 different training programs (65-70 and 90-100% of the MAS for CTG and ITG, respectively) that consisted of 3 sessions per week during a period of 8 weeks with an identical external workload (% MAS × duration in minutes). The MAS, the Tlim and the CMJ were recorded before and after the running training programs. The data analysis showed a significant and similar improvement (p < 0.01) of the MAS for both the ITG (5.8%) and CTG (8.3%). The Tlim and CMJ did not change significantly for either group after the training period. Our results indicate that 8 weeks of continuous or interval running programs with externally equated load led to similar improvements in the MAS without changing Tlim and CMJ performance in moderately trained nonrunners.