# Effects of Heart Rate vs. Speed-Based High Intensity Interval Training on Aerobic and Anaerobic Capacity of Female Soccer Players

PMID: 29910417
Journal: Sports (Basel, Switzerland)
Published: 2017 Aug 4
Authors: Arazi H, Keihaniyan A, EatemadyBoroujeni A, Oftade A, Takhsha S, Asadi A, Ramirez-Campillo R

## 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.

## Population

- Sixteen healthy female semi-professional academy soccer players with similar training habits and loads.
- Sample size: 16
- Age: About 22.4 years by group table
- Sex: Female
- Fitness level: Semi-professional soccer players; baseline VO2max about 50 mL/kg/min
- Health status: Healthy; physician screened

## Methodology

- Randomized two-arm training study
- 6 weeks
- Female soccer academy training with pre/post field and performance testing
- Randomized and controlled study design.

## Protocol

- Speed-based HIIT.
- Modality: Running.
- Work intervals: 90 s.
- Recovery: 90 s walking plus 2-min passive rest between sets.
- Sets or repetitions: Repeated 90-s intervals across repeated 7.5-min sequences.
- Intensity: 90% of maximal speed from 30-15 Intermittent Fitness Test.
- Frequency: 3 sessions/week in addition to soccer practice.
- Program length: 6 weeks.
- Progression: Velocity increased 5% every 2 weeks.
- Heart-rate-based HIIT.
- Modality: Running.
- Work intervals: 90 s.
- Recovery: 90 s walking plus 2-min passive rest between sets.
- Sets or repetitions: Twelve 90-s runs per session according to article description.
- Intensity: 90% HRmax.
- Frequency: 3 sessions/week in addition to soccer practice.
- Program length: 6 weeks.
- Progression: Distance could increase while maintaining target HR but was not tightly controlled.

## Outcomes

### Aerobic tests
Status: improved
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
Status: improved
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
Status: improved
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
Status: improved
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

## Practical 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 And Adherence

- Adverse events were not reported.
- Players were screened by a physician and had musculoskeletal and pregnancy exclusions.

## Original Sources

- [PubMed](https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/29910417/) (pubmed)
- [DOI](https://doi.org/10.3390/sports5030057) (doi)
- [PMC full text](https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC5968964/) (full text)

## Agent Guidance

Preserve the paper-level scope of this note. Do not generalize beyond the population, protocol, measured outcomes, and limitations above.