What is a primary benefit of interval training in athletics?

Interval training is designed to improve both aerobic and anaerobic fitness by alternating between high-intensity efforts and lower-intensity recovery periods. This approach allows athletes to push their limits during the intense intervals, which enhances their cardiovascular capacity and ability to perform in high-energy environments.

By engaging both energy systems, athletes can increase their endurance and power, making them more effective in various sports where bursts of intense activity are interspersed with periods of lower intensity. This combination is particularly valuable in athletic training, where performance often demands not just stamina but also the ability to recover quickly from high-intensity bouts.

While decreasing overall workout time can be a benefit, interval training's most prominent advantage lies in how it improves overall fitness levels across different energy systems, making athletes more well-rounded in their performance capabilities. Options focused solely on strength training or continuous steady-state activity do not capture the multifaceted benefits of interval training, which is specifically designed to enhance both aerobic and anaerobic performance.