A comparison of circuit training and high intensity interval training for population health

Thesis (M.A.)--Boston University PLEASE NOTE: Boston University Libraries did not receive an Authorization To Manage form for this thesis or dissertation. It is therefore not openly accessible, though it may be available by request. If you are the author or principal advisor of this work and would like to request open access for it, please contact us at open-help@bu.edu. Thank you.In the fast-paced lifestyle of modern-day society, people often feel overwhelmed by their list of things to do. It is no surprise then that a lot of people claim that they have "no time" to exercise. Two short-duration programs-circuit training and high intensity interval training-seem to be the answer to this issue, and this report investigates each program to see if one is more beneficial than the other in regards to population health. Factors taken into consideration for this comparison include cardiovascular responses, metabolic responses, and psychological factors. Research was gathered through PubMed, Web of Knowledge, and interviews with certified physical trainers to reach an evidence-based conclusion on whether circuit training or high intensity interval training was more beneficial. The Published Data section presents relevant data from the scientific literature in The Effects of Circuits & High Intensity Interval Training on the Cardiovascular System, The Effects of Circuits & High Intensity Interval Training on Body Metabolism, and Psychological Changes Associated with Circuits & High Intensity Interval Training, and is presented by first detailing methodological data, followed by the study's findings. The implications of the results, along with any possible extraneous factors, will be evaluated in the Discussion section