Dr. Todd Astorino

• Examining the effects of high intensity interval training on cardiometabolic health
• Assessing the post-exercise metabolic response to high intensity functional training
• Exploring sex differences in the metabolic response to exercise
• Comparing hemodynamic responses to various forms of exercise
• My complete research history is located on PubMed. 

I am currently investigating whether women burn more fat during exercise than men, which is a long-held belief in Exercise Physiology of interest to athletes and Dietitians. Nevertheless, there are methodological flaws in many studies which demonstrate this apparent sex-based difference, which inspired me to examine this topic using more appropriate exercise protocols and experimental controls. Preliminary data will be presented by 3 undergraduate students at the upcoming SWACSM meeting in Costa Mesa, CA on October 25-26. 

I am a proponent of high intensity interval training, brief intense bursts of exercise separated by recovery, which have been shown to cause various health and fitness-related benefits similar to aerobic exercise. I have studied this topic since 2009 which has now become one of the top fitness trends in the U.S. and abroad. Currently, I am examining the hemodynamic response to these bouts in a new study.

 I have given numerous invited presentations regarding my work, most recently a tutorial concerning high intensity functional training at the annual meeting of ACSM in Boston, MA in May 2024. In October 2024, I will be presenting a tutorial on this topic at the SWACSM meeting as well.

Some of the leading scientists across the world have sought out my expertise as an External Examiner for their Ph.D students investigating the physiological and psychological response to high intensity interval training. I am a frequent reviewer for the National Institutes of Health and other entities, and have a grant submission currently under review by NIH.