Abstract
BackgroundHigh-intensity interval training (HIIT) is frequently employed to improve the endurance of various types of athletes. To determine whether youth soccer players may benefit from the intermittent load and time efficiency of HIIT, we performed a meta-analysis of the relevant scientific literature.ObjectivesOur primary objective was to compare changes in various physiological parameters related to the performance of youth soccer players in response to running-based HIIT to the effects of other common training protocols (i.e., small-sided games, technical training and soccer-specific training, or high-volume endurance training). A secondary objective was to compare specifically running-based HIIT to a soccer-specific form of HIIT known as small-sided games (SSG) in this same respect, since this latter type of training is being discussed extensively by coaches.MethodA systematic search of the PubMed, SPORTDiscus, and Web of Science databases was performed in August of 2017 and updated during the review process in December of 2018. The criteria for inclusion of articles for analysis were as follows: (1) comparison of HIIT to SSG or some other training protocol employing a pre-post design, (2) involvement of healthy young athletes (≤ 18 years old), and (3) assessment of variables related to endurance or soccer performance. Hedges’ g effect size (dppc2) and associated 95% confidence intervals for the comparison of the responses to HIIT and other interventions were calculated.ResultsNine studies, involving 232 young soccer players (mean age 16.2 ± 1.6 years), were examined. Endurance training in the form of HIIT or SSG produced similar positive effects on most parameters assessed, including peak oxygen uptake and maximal running performance during incremental running (expressed as Vmax or maximal aerobic speed (MAS)), shuttle runs (expressed as the distance covered or time to exhaustion), and time-trials, as well as submaximal variables such as running economy and running velocity at the lactate threshold. HIIT induced a moderate improvement in soccer-related tests involving technical exercises with the soccer ball and other game-specific parameters (i.e., total distance covered, number of sprints, and number of involvements with the ball). Neuromuscular parameters were largely unaffected by HIIT or SSG.ConclusionThe present meta-analysis indicates that HIIT and SSG have equally beneficial impacts on variables related to the endurance and soccer-specific performance of youth soccer players, but little influence on neuromuscular performance.
Highlights
High-intensity interval training (HIIT) is frequently employed to improve the endurance of various types of athletes
The overall findings were as follows: (i) In comparison to all other interventions, HIIT induces moderate-to-large positive effects on maximal or peak oxygen uptake, variables related to running performance, change-ofdirection performance, and soccer-related performance tests
(ii) In comparison to all other interventions except small-sided games (SSG), HIIT demonstrates moderate-to-large effects on maximal or peak oxygen uptake, variables related to running performance, and, again, soccer-related performance (iii)In comparison to SSG, HIIT exerts a large effect on change-of-direction ability (iv) In comparison to all other interventions including or excluding SSG, as well as to SSG alone, HIIT has little or no impact on sprint running performance, jumping performance, or repeated sprint ability
Summary
High-intensity interval training (HIIT) is frequently employed to improve the endurance of various types of athletes. HIIT, characterized by periods of intense exercise at > 90% of peak heart rate (HRpeak) alternating with periods of low-intensity activity [6], and SSG, a soccer-specific form of HIIT [7], show great potential to improve certain aspects of the endurance of youth soccer players Both of these types of training improve key variables related to success in soccer, e.g., VO2peak [8, 9] and maximal running performance (i.e., shuttle run testing and time-trials) [10, 11], as well as performance in connection with soccer-specific tests (i.e., total distance covered, number of sprints, and number of contacts with the ball) [12, 13] in a time-efficient manner [14]
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