Dr. Martin Gibala is a muscle physiologist, professor, and kinesiology department chair at McMaster University in Hamilton, Ontario, Canada. He is best known for pioneering research on the health benefits of high-intensity interval training (HIIT) and his profound understanding of HIIT's physiological mechanisms. He is a co-author of the book "The One-Minute Workout."

In this episode, we discuss:

(00:00) Introduction
(11:00) What is high-intensity training?
(11:53) Zone 2 vs. HIIT for VO2 max — which is better?
(13:22) The vital role of vigorous exercise
(14:40) Why VO2 max matters for longevity
(17:45) Why athletes vs. exercisers benefit from different intensity distributions
(22:09) Measuring maximum heart rate and VO2 max
(30:31) How the heart adapts to HIIT to increase VO2 max
(35:47) Why vigorous exercise accelerates mitochondrial adaptation
(40:06) Enhancing fat oxidation and mitochondrial growth with vigorous exercise
(44:22) How intensive exercise boosts fat breakdown
(45:56) Is high-intensity exercise better for autophagy than fasting?
(55:15) Exercise snacks
(57:55) Why 'choosing the stairs' reduces early death (VILPA study)
(1:00:39) Protocol for VO2 max
(1:05:50) The effect of HIIT on muscle fiber types
(1:10:18) How aging effects muscle fibers
(1:14:09) Does high-intensity training produce an "afterburn effect?"
(1:16:13) Why vigorous workouts are better for BDNF and cognition
(1:23:15) Anti-metastatic cancer effects
(1:50:23) Wingate training vs. reHIIT — a comparison of protocols
(1:55:38) Perceived exertion vs. HRmax
(1:59:23) Interval walking for people with type 2 diabetes
(2:01:06) Contraindications of HIIT
(2:05:06) Why preconditioning reduces risks from exercise
(2:10:44) Can resistance training be a type of aerobic exercise?
(2:16:24) Does cardio and strength training interfere with each other?
(2:18:45) How many minutes per week of high-intensity training?
(2:26:58) Are there sex differences and misconceptions in high-intensity training, for women?
(2:27:42) Should post-menopausal women do H.I.I.T.?
(2:27:47) Does intense exercise raise cortisol?
(2:34:16) Bone density and osteoarthritis
(2:36:40) Atrial fibrillation risk
(2:39:20) Hypoxic training and blood flow restriction
(2:40:45) Tips for training with joint issues

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Show notes are available by clicking here

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