Who said it had to be only sprints? It could be walking at first,stationary bike and treadmill..

I don't know of to many sprinters that have shinsplints,that is usually long distant runners..that slow steady cardio and that continuous pounding

the bottom line is this is the most efficient form of "cardio" combined with weightlifting, to lose fat. Plus you do it in a lot less time and you see results faster.