Sprint Interval Training in Postpartum Athletes

Sprint Interval Training in Postpartum Athletes

Labfront’s Women’s Health Grant 2023 recipient, Normand Richard, recently published a study exploring the effects of sprint interval training (SIT) on maintaining enhanced cardiac output postpartum. The research centered on a competitive field hockey player and former cyclist, who started SIT five weeks postpartum after an uncomplicated delivery. The study aimed to evaluate whether early postpartum SIT could sustain the increased cardiac output (Q̇) and blood volume (BV) observed during pregnancy, which support fetal growth and are known to enhance athletic performance.

Study Duration and Participants

This case study focused on a 35-year-old highly trained athlete over an 11-week postpartum period. A total of 18 SIT sessions were conducted over 6 weeks, with the training progressing from 4 to 8 sprints per session at 130% of peak power output.

Using Labfront

Labfront was used to streamline data collection via the integration of the Garmin Vivosmart 5, as well as for administering questionnaires. The Garmin was used to track key metrics such as daily sleep, energy expenditure during exercise, and step count throughout the postpartum period. The data was uploaded to Labfront’s platform, enabling the research team to monitor the participant's activity and recovery patterns in real time, yielding valuable insights into the study's analysis.

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Labfront’s technology enabled us to collect novel data easily.              _{- Normand Richard}

Key Findings

• The athlete tolerated SIT well and showed a rapid recovery of pre-pregnancy levels of absolute oxygen consumption (V̇O2peak) and peak power output. 
• Peak exercise cardiac output (Q̇peak) remained elevated compared to baseline at all postpartum time points, demonstrating that SIT effectively preserves the enhanced cardiac output associated with pregnancy.
• This case highlights the feasibility and effectiveness of SIT as a training modality for postpartum athletes looking to regain fitness quickly while preserving the cardiovascular benefits gained during pregnancy

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📄 View the study here: The Physiological Society