High Intensity Interval Training Does Not Improve Cardiorespiratory Parameters In Trained Young Soccer Players

Abstract

Soccer performance is the result of technical, tactical, physiological and psychological attributes of the players. PURPOSE: The present study investigated the effect of high- intensity interval training (HIIT) and continuous moderate intensity training (CONT) on selected parameters of the cardiorespiratory function in young trained soccer players. METHODS: Thirty Greek amateur soccer players (mean ± sd, age 19 ± 2,21y, Body mass 71.19 ± 2.5 kg) were randomized into a high-intensity interval training group (HIIT, n = 10), a continuous moderate intensity training group (CONT, n = 10) and a control group (Control, n = 10). The intervention for HIIT and CONT groups was 16 more training sessions, 2 per week while CONTROL group continued regular soccer training routine. The HIIT group training sessions consisted either of 15s sprints interspersed by 15s of recovery at 120%VO2max with 8 min total exercise time or they played 4x4 min (16 min total time) small-sided games (4v4) followed by 2 min recovery interval. The CONT group training sessions consisted either of 40 min continuous running at 70% VO2max or 10v10 full field soccer game for 40min. RESULTS: Mean values ± sd pre and post-training for Body weight, (HIIT: 69.49 ± 8.39 v 69.0 ± 8.8; CONT: 71.2 ± 10.93 v 70.2 ± 11.01 kg), %fat, (HIIT: 13.02 ± 2.41 v 12.12 ± 2.49, CONT: 13.75 ± 2.19 v 13.82 ± 2.21), VO2max, (HIIT: 55.08 ± 4.43 v 57.75 ± 5.63, CONT: 56.46 ± 4.61 v 58.41 ± 5.24 ml.kg-1.min-1), vVO2max (velocity at VO2max, HIIT: 15.9 ± 0.70 v 16.5 ± 0.52, CONT: 16.5 ± 1.51 v 16.7 ± 1.19 km.h-1) and vVT (velocity at ventilatory threshold, HIIT: 11.8 ± 0.87 v 12.5 ± 0.69, CONT: 12.4 ± 1.03 v 12.5 ± 1.13 km.h-1). VO max, vVO2max and vVT improved 4.6, 3.6 and 5.6% only after HIIT training but the difference didn’t pass statistical significance due to large sd of the sample. CONCLUSIONS: In conclusion, the combination of the training regiments of this study did not improve cardiorespiratory parameters of endurance performance in already trained young soccer players. There was, though, a tendency for better adaptations favors the time efficient HIIT training.