Athletic Performance
Conditions
Keywords
HIIT,Soccer, Aerobic Capacity, Anaerobic, Blood Lactate.
Brief summary
This study aims to investigate the effects of an 8-week high-intensity interval training (HIIT) program on aerobic capacity, anaerobic power, blood lactate levels, and sprint performance in young male soccer players. Twenty-four volunteer U19-category soccer players from Sivasspor A.Ş. were randomly allocated into an experimental group (n=12), which performed HIIT three days per week for 8 weeks in addition to their regular training, and a control group (n=12), which continued only their routine training program. Anthropometric measurements, resting heart rate, aerobic performance (Yo-Yo IRT1), anaerobic performance (RAST), and blood lactate levels were assessed before and after the intervention period.
Detailed description
This experimental study was designed to examine the effects of an 8-week HIIT protocol, applied three days per week, on selected physical performance parameters in youth soccer players. Participants were randomly divided into an experimental group and a control group. Height was measured using a Harpenden stadiometer and body weight using a digital scale. Aerobic performance was assessed using the Yo-Yo Intermittent Recovery Test Level 1 (Yo-Yo IRT1), with heart rate monitored via a Polar Team Pro 2 device. Anaerobic performance was evaluated using the Running-based Anaerobic Sprint Test (RAST). Blood lactate concentration was measured using a portable lactate analyzer from finger-tip capillary blood samples at rest and following the RAST protocol. All measurements were taken as pre-test and post-test assessments, before and after the 8-week intervention period. The study was approved by the local Clinical Research Ethics Committee (2021/243) and conducted in accordance with the Declaration of Helsinki. Written informed consent was obtained from the parents/legal guardians of all participants prior to testing.
Interventions
BEHAVIORALHigh-Intensity Interval Training (HIIT)
Participants in the HIIT group performed high-intensity interval training three times per week for 8 weeks, in addition to their regular soccer training. Each session consisted of repeated high-intensity running intervals designed to improve aerobic capacity, anaerobic power, and sprint performance.
Sponsors
Ercüment Erdoğan
Study design
Allocation
RANDOMIZED
Intervention model
PARALLEL
Primary purpose
OTHER
Masking
NONE
Masking description
No masking was applied. Due to the nature of the intervention (supervised exercise training), participants, coaches, and outcome assessors were aware of group allocation.
Intervention model description
Participants were randomly allocated into two parallel groups: an experimental group (n=12) that performed high-intensity interval training (HIIT) three days per week for 8 weeks in addition to their regular soccer training, and a control group (n=12) that continued only their regular training program. Both groups were assessed at baseline and after 8 weeks using the same physical performance tests
Eligibility
Sex/Gender
MALE
Age
16 Years to 18 Years
Healthy volunteers
Yes
Inclusion criteria
* Active male soccer player registered in the U19 category at Sivasspor A.Ş. Football Club * Regularly participating in team training sessions prior to the study * Voluntary participation with written informed consent obtained from parents or legal guardians * Free from any injury or health condition preventing participation in high-intensity exercise
Exclusion criteria
* Presence of a musculoskeletal injury within the past 3 months * Diagnosis of any cardiovascular, metabolic, or chronic health condition * Attendance rate below 90% during the 8-week training program * Withdrawal of consent by participant or parent/legal guardian
Design outcomes
Primary
| Measure | Time frame | Description |
|---|---|---|
| Change in Maximal Oxygen Uptake (VO2max) | Baseline and after 8 weeks | VO2max was estimated using the Yo-Yo Intermittent Recovery Test Level 1 (Yo-Yo IRT1), based on total distance covered. |
| Change in Anaerobic Power | Baseline and after 8 weeks | Anaerobic power (average power and peak power) was assessed using the Running-based Anaerobic Sprint Test (RAST). |
| Change in Sprint Performance | Baseline and after 8 weeks | Sprint time was measured over a 35-meter distance using photocell timing gates during the RAST protocol. |
| Change in Blood Lactate Concentration | Baseline and after 8 weeks | Blood lactate levels were measured at the 1st and 5th minute post-exercise using a portable lactate analyzer. |
Countries
Turkey (Türkiye)
Contacts
STUDY_DIRECTORErcüment Erdoğan, PhD
Ordu University
Outcome results
None listed