Which study is considered the most cited and popular in the field of HIIT?

The Tabata study is recognized as a pivotal work in the realm of high-intensity interval training (HIIT) due to its groundbreaking research on the effectiveness of short, intense bursts of exercise followed by brief rest periods. Conducted by Dr. Izumi Tabata and his colleagues in the 1990s, this study demonstrated that just four minutes of very high-intensity exercise could significantly improve both aerobic and anaerobic fitness levels in participants.

The findings of the study were influential in reshaping how fitness professionals and researchers approached training regimens, showing that time-efficient workouts could yield substantial health benefits. As a result, the Tabata protocol gained immense popularity in both athletic circles and general fitness communities, becoming a benchmark for designing HIIT programs. Its widespread citations in academic literature further underline its status as a foundational study in the HIIT field, influencing a multitude of training philosophies and workout programs that followed.

While the other options like the CrossFit study, P90X program, and Insanity workout have made significant contributions to fitness culture, they do not share the same level of academic recognition or foundational impact that the Tabata study has achieved in the context of HIIT research.