Difference in total workload during sprint interval training for adults living with or without obesity.

<bold>Purpose: </bold>The primary objective of the study was to compare the implications of body composition on work volume, power outputs (peak, mean, and minimum), and relative drop load throughout 4 weeks of sprint interval training (SIT) in individuals living with and without obesity.<bold>Methods: </bold>Thirty-four participants living with (n = 16) and without (n = 18) obesity took part in 12 sessions of SIT over 4 weeks. SIT consisted of repeated 30-s Wingate with a drop load of 7.5% of the participant's body mass separated by 4 min of active recovery. Fat-free mass was estimated using a BOD POD. Work volume, drop load, and power output (peak, mean, and minimum) relative to body mass and fat-free mass were calculated using a Monark 874E Weight cycle ergometer.<bold>Results: </bold>Individuals living with obesity had a significantly larger drop load relative to fat-free mass (p < 0.001) and absolute drop load (p < 0.001) as well as a lower cycling cadence (p < 0.001) compared to individuals without obesity. No significant difference was observed in work volume (p = 0.167) as well as mean (p = 0.903), peak (p = 0.294), and minimum (p = 0.103) power relative to fat-free mass between groups.<bold>Conclusion: </bold>The findings suggest that individuals living with obesity work at a higher relative drop load when utilizing a percentage of body mass; however, a reduced cycling cadence results in similar total work volume throughout SIT. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]