Interval Training doesn't work as you think it would
tmuscle.com
tmuscle.com
This is not a quality article. The article titled with the incendiary "Interval training doesn't work," doesn't say that it's primarily concerned with fat loss for bodybuilders (I guess the t nation should have been a give away), then goes on to cite studies where it does work. Its like Mark Young wrote this essay like one goes about a 5th grade science fair project. He starts off with a premise, then goes on to find evidence that refutes his premise, but sticks to it anyway?
(I admit I was baited by the title and only skimmed his essay until I realized it was full of shit)
P.S. to all those looking to get in shape: Sports "science" is junk and mostly ignored by coaches & athletes. If a study came out tomorrow that said "Interval training doesn't work" coaches and athletes would still use it because it's effective and has been for the past 50 years.
This man is a nutritional guru.
Case in point would be running in modern running shoes. Almost every coach and doctor has claimed that modern running shoes are the way to go. Yet in the past 40 years since they have been used there hasn't been a study proving that you will run faster or get less injuries than if you just ran barefoot.
Modern recreational running shoes are the PERFECT example of how wrong sports science can be. All the scientific evidence from the past few decades supported the use of heavily cushioned, motion controlling running shoes to prevent injuries. This is why doctors recommend it. It was coaches and athletes that stuck to what worked - flats (take a look at any track and field/racing shoe) and barefoot training. No track coach in her right mind that would have advocated for the use of a heavy cushioned running shoe for a competitive athlete.
I understand your point, but if you don't like it, don't read it :-)
"Sprint -> Jog" or "Sprint -> Walk" or "Sprint -> Lie on the ground, motionless" ?
I've been doing that for a long time (though it isn't exactly fartlek if you do it by yourself) to train for soccer, because it mimics the process of repeatedly sprinting and recovering. It's also easier on my joints than sustained running at a steady speed.
Here is a better article, if you are interested in Tabatas.