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

Bin Fang; Yonghwan Kim; Moonyoung Choi

doi:10.3390/healthcare9121628

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

Healthcare (Basel). 2021 Nov 25;9(12):1628. doi: 10.3390/healthcare9121628.

Authors

Bin Fang¹, Yonghwan Kim², Moonyoung Choi³

Affiliations

¹ College of Physical Education, Luoyang Normal University, Luoyang 471934, China.
² Department of Physical Education, Gangneung-Wonju National University, Gangneung 25457, Korea.
³ Department of Sports Science Convergence, Dongguk University, Seoul 04620, Korea.

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.

Keywords: adolescent; anaerobic power; cardiorespiratory fitness; cycle-based training; high-intensity interval training; moderate-intensity continuous training; soccer; strength.