Effects of Heart Rate vs. Speed-Based High Intensity Interval Training on Aerobic and Anaerobic Capacity of Female Soccer Players
Question
Does prescribing HIIT by running speed produce different aerobic and anaerobic adaptations than prescribing HIIT by heart rate in female soccer players?
Summary
In 16 female soccer players, 6 weeks of added running HIIT improved aerobic and anaerobic test outcomes. Speed-based prescription produced larger gains in several anaerobic RAST variables than heart-rate-based prescription, while aerobic improvements were not statistically different between groups.
Methodology
- Sixteen healthy female semi-professional academy soccer players with similar training habits and loads.
- 16 participants.
- Running.
- Work intervals: 90 s.
- Recovery: 90 s walking plus 2-min passive rest between sets.
- Intensity: 90% of maximal speed from 30-15 Intermittent Fitness Test.
- 3 sessions/week in addition to soccer practice.
- 6 weeks.
- Randomized two-arm training study
- Hoff test performance, 30-15 IFT, and RAST anaerobic performance were tracked.
Outcomes
Aerobic tests
Both groups improved aerobic field-test outcomes, with no significant group-by-time interaction.
No interaction for Hoff distance p=0.43, Hoff VO2max p=0.88, 30-15 IFT VO2max p=0.13, speed p=0.586, time p=0.7
Minimal power
Speed-based HIIT improved RAST minimal power more than HR-based HIIT.
Group x time F=5.08, p=0.04; speed group 309 to 366 W vs HR group 289 to 302 W
Average power
Speed-based HIIT improved RAST average power more than HR-based HIIT.
Group x time F=32.12, p=0.003; speed group 430 to 464 W vs HR group 425 to 432 W
Fatigue index
Speed-based HIIT reduced fatigue index more than HR-based HIIT.
Group x time F=28.32, p=0.002; speed group 8.0 to 6.7 vs HR group 8.3 to 8.1
Insights
- For trained soccer players, speed-based running HIIT can provide a more direct overload signal than HR-based prescription, especially for repeated-sprint outcomes.
- HR-based intervals may be less precise for short repeated efforts because HR lags behind running speed and workload changes.
Limitations
- Very small sample with 8 players per group.
- Athlete-only female soccer sample limits generalization.
- The article description suggests unequal or unclear interval volume between groups.
- No no-HIIT control group; both groups continued regular soccer practice.
Safety
- Adverse events were not reported.
- Players were screened by a physician and had musculoskeletal and pregnancy exclusions.