Which type of training focuses on short bursts of extreme effort followed by recovery periods?

High-intensity interval training (HIIT) is characterized by short bursts of intense physical activity followed by periods of rest or lower-intensity exercise. This method of training is designed to increase both anaerobic and aerobic fitness, allowing individuals to enhance their performance and metabolism in a shorter amount of time compared to steady-state training.

HIIT workouts typically involve alternating between high-effort exercises, such as sprints or intense bodyweight exercises, and designated recovery intervals. This approach not only improves cardiovascular health but also promotes fat loss and muscle gain due to the intensity of the effort and the recovery dynamics involved.

In contrast, endurance training typically involves steady, prolonged activities that maintain a moderate level of exertion over a longer duration, which does not align with the short, intense bursts characteristic of HIIT. Dynamic stretching, on the other hand, focuses on flexibility and movement preparation rather than intense cardiovascular or strength efforts, while resistance training primarily emphasizes muscle strengthening through weights or resistance, often without the specific interval structure found in HIIT.