How does experiencing high-intensity intervals benefit athletes?

Experiencing high-intensity intervals is beneficial for athletes because it teaches their bodies to manage lactic acid more efficiently. During intense exercise, the body produces lactic acid as a byproduct of anaerobic metabolism, which can lead to muscle fatigue. By regularly engaging in high-intensity interval training, athletes enhance their lactate threshold, meaning they can perform at higher intensities for longer periods before lactic acid accumulation impairs their performance. This adaptation allows athletes to sustain high levels of performance in their respective sports, improving overall endurance and recovery.

In contrast, while the other options may touch on aspects of athletic training, they do not capture the primary benefit of high-intensity interval training. For instance, lifting heavier weights is generally more associated with strength training techniques rather than interval training. Becoming more flexible is usually achieved through specific stretching and mobility exercises, not high-intensity intervals. Finally, decreased need for hydration is not a typical outcome of high-intensity training; in fact, such training often increases fluid requirements due to the high levels of exertion and sweat loss.