PMID 28966710

Research
All papers

In-Season High-Intensity Interval Training Improves Conditioning In High School Soccer Players

Howard N, Stavrianeas S

Question

Does in-season sprint-interval HIIT compare favorably with traditional endurance conditioning for high-school soccer players over a 10-week season?

Summary

In 32 high-school junior-varsity soccer players who completed pre- and post-season testing, 10 weeks of in-season HIIT produced Yo-Yo IR1 endurance gains similar to traditional endurance conditioning done for the same time. HIIT also improved vertical jump within the HIIT group, while the control group improved 40-yard sprint and Illinois agility scores.

Methodology

  • 32 high school junior varsity soccer players who completed pre- and post-season testing.
  • 32 participants.
  • All-out sprint running.
  • Work intervals: 30 s.
  • Recovery: 4.5 min active recovery.
  • Intensity: All-out.
  • Same duration as control endurance conditioning; exact total not reported.
  • 3 times/week.
  • 10 weeks.
  • Randomized controlled in-season training study
  • Yo-Yo IR1, Sprint, Vertical jump, and Agility were tracked.

Outcomes

Yo-Yo IR1

Both HIIT and control groups improved Yo-Yo IR1, with no between-group difference.

Control p<0.001, HIIT p=0.001; between groups post p=0.406.

Improved

Vertical jump

HIIT improved vertical jump; control did not significantly improve.

HIIT 42.20 +/- 7.04 cm to 47.87 +/- 7.50 cm, p=0.019; control p=0.078.

Improved

Sprint

Control improved 40-yard dash while HIIT did not.

Control p=0.004; HIIT p=0.132; between groups post p=0.794.

Mixed

Agility

Control improved Illinois agility while HIIT did not.

Control p=0.001; HIIT p=0.911; between groups post p=0.627.

Mixed

Insights

  • A low-repetition 30 s sprint HIIT plan can maintain or improve soccer-specific aerobic conditioning similarly to endurance running during a season.
  • For true all-out intervals, long recovery periods may be needed and should not be compressed without changing the training stimulus.

Limitations

  • Small sample
  • Six non-completers from 38 initial participants
  • Training differences and player position were not controlled
  • Sex distribution and session adherence were not reported

Safety

  • Six initial participants were not included because of injury, missed testing sessions, or declining after first testing session.
  • Participants were screened by PAR-Q and medically cleared for high school athletics.