From the Guidelines
Sprinting should be avoided in patients with genetic cardiovascular diseases, as it can increase the risk of adverse cardiac events, particularly in those with conditions such as hypertrophic cardiomyopathy (HCM), long QT syndrome (LQTS), and arrhythmogenic right ventricular cardiomyopathy (ARVC) 1. When considering the risks and benefits of sprinting, it's essential to prioritize morbidity, mortality, and quality of life as the primary outcomes.
- For individuals with genetic heart diseases, the risks associated with sprinting, such as burst exertion and rapid acceleration and deceleration, may outweigh any potential benefits.
- The American College of Cardiology/American Heart Association (ACC/AHA) and the European Society of Cardiology (ESC) provide recommendations for exercise and sports participation in patients with genetic heart diseases, emphasizing the importance of avoiding high-intensity and competitive sports, including sprinting 1.
- Instead, patients with genetic cardiovascular diseases are advised to engage in low-to-moderate intensity recreational activities, such as informal jogging, biking, or lap swimming, which can help improve cardiovascular fitness while minimizing the risk of adverse cardiac events.
- It's crucial to note that individualized recommendations should be made based on the specific condition, symptoms, and medical history of each patient, and that patients should consult with their healthcare provider before starting any new exercise program. Some studies suggest that sprinting can have benefits for cardiovascular fitness and metabolic health in the general population 1. However, these benefits do not outweigh the potential risks for individuals with genetic cardiovascular diseases, and the most recent and highest-quality evidence recommends avoiding sprinting in these patients 1.
From the Research
Benefits of Sprinting
- Sprinting can improve glycemia and V˙O2peak, as shown in a study published in 2021 2
- It can also increase glucose tolerance by approximately 20% 2
- Sprint interval training (SIT) has been found to increase endothelial function, although it may not alter arterial stiffness 2
- Sprinting can help optimize power-to-weight ratio and enhance anaerobic energy generation, which are key outcomes of sprint training 3
Physiological Effects of Sprinting
- Fatigue during sprinting is primarily caused by peripheral mechanisms, including limitations in energy supply and the accumulation of metabolic by-products such as hydrogen ions 4
- Musculoskeletal force application is a key determinant of sprinting performance, with a duration dependency explained by the rapid rates at which skeletal muscle fatigues in vivo 5
- Sprinting can lead to a reversible decline in force production by muscles when they are contracting at or near their maximum capacity 4
Comparison with Other Forms of Exercise
- High-intensity interval training (HIIT) and sprint interval training (SIT) are both effective forms of interval training, but long-HIIT may be the optimal form of interval training to augment time-trial performance 6
- There is no difference in the change in time-trial performance when comparing all HIIT versus SIT, but subgroup analysis indicates a 2% greater improvement in time-trial performance following long-HIIT when compared to SIT 6