Effect of Cycle-Based High-Intensity Interval Training and Moderate to Moderate-Intensity Continuous Training in Adolescent Soccer Players.

Yonghwan Kim,Bin Fang,Moonyoung Choi

doi:10.3390/healthcare9121628

Abstract

Cardiorespiratory fitness, anaerobic power, and lower extremity strength are essential for soccer players at all levels. An effective program should be developed to improve physical strength for adolescent soccer players who need to combine academic and technical training. This study analyzed the impact of short-term high intensity interval training (HIIT) training and traditional moderate intensity continuous training (MICT) on adolescent soccer players. Participants included 56 adolescent soccer players who were divided into HIIT and MICT groups. The training program was conducted 3 times a week for 4 weeks using cycle ergometer. Each session included the same resistance training program, and the characteristics of HIIT and MICT were applied to improve cardiorespiratory fitness and anaerobic power. Body composition analysis, graded exercise test for peak oxygen uptake (VO2 peak), Wingate anaerobic power test, and isokinetic knee strength test were performed. VO2 peak was improved in HIIT and MICT, but anaerobic threshold and heart rate recovery significantly improved in the HIIT group. Wingate anaerobic peak power had increased significantly in sets 1, 2, and 3 in the HIIT group, but showed significant improvement only in set 1 in the MICT group. The isokinetic strength improved significantly in the HIIT group at 60°/s and in the MICT group at 240°/s. There was no significant change in body composition in either group. In conclusion, short-term HIIT administered to adolescent soccer players effectively improved cardiorespiratory fitness in HIIT and MICT groups. While HIIT increased anaerobic threshold and power, MICT effectively improved muscle endurance. Short-term intensive training can be considered a time-efficient training strategy.

Highlights

Soccer players require physiological and physical conditioning to achieve optimal performance, depends on many factors, including technical, tactical, physical, physiological, and mental condition [1,2].For optimal energy metabolism, soccer requires high aerobic capacity because the game lasts for 90 min
Since high-intensity activities that depend on anaerobic energy metabolism are restored using aerobic energy metabolism, active recovery through aerobic activity performed at a lower level than the lactate threshold is required after high-intensity short sprints [3]
In a previous study on cardiorespiratory fitness (CRF), MacInnis et al [30] reported that 6 sessions of shortterm high intensity interval training (HIIT) over 2 weeks elicited greater increases in citrate synthase maximal activity and mitochondrial respiration in skeletal muscle compared to moderate intensity continuous training (MICT) during total work and session duration

Summary

Introduction

Soccer players require physiological and physical conditioning to achieve optimal performance, depends on many factors, including technical, tactical, physical, physiological, and mental condition [1,2]. Soccer requires high aerobic capacity because the game lasts for 90 min. Since high-intensity activities that depend on anaerobic energy metabolism are restored using aerobic energy metabolism, active recovery through aerobic activity performed at a lower level than the lactate threshold is required after high-intensity short sprints [3]. The moderate intensity continuous training (MICT) is the traditional, most widely used training method. This method involves running for a long time at the level of about 55–75% of VO2 peak.

Methods

Discussion

Conclusion