Effects of a Single-Session High-Intensity Interval Training on Blood and Liver Function Markers in Athletes

Abstract

Regular physical activity is recommended for overall health, but many individuals struggle to meet these guidelines due to time constraints. High-intensity interval training (HIIT) offers a time-efficient alternative by incorporating short bursts of intense exercise with periods of rest. This study investigates the influence of a single-session HIIT on blood and liver function markers in adult male athletes, who may be at increased risk of adverse health outcomes due to the demands of rigorous training. Twenty male athletes (aged 22–26 years) were recruited from a university in India. Participants underwent a standardized HIIT protocol following a warm-up. Blood samples were collected at baseline and at intervals post-exercise, and analysed for various blood and liver function markers. Significant time-dependent changes were observed in haemoglobin (ES = 0.71, p < 0.05), white blood cell count (ES = 0.76, p < 0.05), red blood cell count (ES = 0.76, p < 0.05), platelet count (ES = 0.56, p < 0.05), and serum glutamic oxaloacetic transaminase (SGOT) levels (ES = 0.27, p < 0.05) as determined by repeated measures ANOVA. In contrast, no significant changes were observed in serum glutamic pyruvic transaminase (SGPT) levels (ES = 0.07, p > 0.05). Post-hoc analysis with Bonferroni correction revealed a significant increase in most parameters immediately following exercise, followed by a gradual return towards baseline levels within 20 min, except for platelet count. These findings provide valuable insights into the acute physiological responses of athletes’ blood and liver function markers to a single session of HIIT, emphasizing the importance of careful monitoring and effective recovery strategies following high-intensity training and further research to understand the long-term implications for athletic performance and overall health. © The Author(s), under exclusive license to Springer Nature Singapore Pte Ltd. 2025.