# Effects of Concurrent Strength and High-Intensity Interval Training on Fitness and Match Performance in Water-Polo Players

PMID: 31523316
Journal: Journal of human kinetics
Published: 2019 Jun
Authors: Botonis PG, Toubekis AG, Terzis GD, Geladas ND, Platanou TI

## Question

How do pre-season long-interval HIT and in-season repeated-sprint HIT, both combined with strength and water-polo training, affect fitness and match-induced fatigue across a water-polo season?

## Summary

Eight national-level male water-polo players were followed through a 27-week season plan. Pre-season 4 x 4 min high-intensity swimming intervals plus strength and water-polo training improved lactate-threshold swimming speeds, strength, repeated-sprint performance, and 400 m performance, while the later in-season repeated-sprint program maintained within-match repeated-sprint performance but was associated with lower aerobic capacity and pre-match performance.

## Population

- Eight national-level male outfield water-polo players.
- Sample size: 8
- Age: 27 +/- 6 years
- Sex: Men only
- Fitness level: National-level athletes
- Health status: Competitive athletes; detailed health screening not reported

## Methodology

- Longitudinal single-group seasonal training study
- 27 weeks
- Real-world national-level water-polo team training and friendly/official match setting

## Protocol

- Pre-season HIT4x4 swimming.
- Modality: Freestyle swimming.
- Work intervals: 4 min.
- Recovery: 3 min active recovery.
- Sets or repetitions: 4 bouts.
- Intensity: About 106% of V4.
- Session duration: About 25 min for HIT block; about 1770 m total.
- Frequency: Twice weekly.
- Program length: 8 weeks.
- Progression: Pre-season block followed by lower-intensity recovery period and in-season repeated-sprint block.
- In-season HITRS swimming.
- Modality: Freestyle swimming sprints.
- Work intervals: 20 m maximal sprint.
- Recovery: 10 s passive between efforts; 4 min active between sets.
- Sets or repetitions: 4-5 sets of 8 x 20 m.
- Intensity: Maximal efforts.
- Frequency: Twice weekly.
- Program length: 8 weeks.
- Progression: In-season block after recovery period.

## Outcomes

### Aerobic fitness
Status: mixed
Aerobic lactate-speed indices improved after pre-season and declined after in-season relative to pre-season.

V4, V5, V10 +9%, +7.7%, +6.7% after pre-season and -8.9%, -7.0%, -3.3% after in-season, p<0.01.

### Repeated sprint
Status: improved
Pre-match repeated sprints improved after pre-season, declined after in-season, while mid/post-match repeated-sprint performance stayed improved versus baseline.

Pre-match repeated sprints +4.3% after pre-season, p<0.01; mid and post +4.7% and +4.4%, p<0.001.

### Shooting
Status: no clear change
Shooting accuracy did not change across training periods.

p=0.49.

## Practical Insights

- For athletes, 4 x 4 min swim intervals are better supported here for pre-season aerobic development than high-volume repeated sprints alone.
- Repeated-sprint blocks may need added aerobic maintenance to avoid loss of aerobic capacity.

## Limitations

- Small sample
- No control group
- Athlete-only
- HIT modes applied in fixed order
- Concurrent strength and technical/tactical training
- Internal training load not measured

## Safety And Adherence

- No adverse events or injuries were reported.
- Article notes internal training load was not measured.

## Original Sources

- [PubMed](https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/31523316/) (pubmed)
- [DOI](https://doi.org/10.2478/hukin-2019-0001) (doi)
- [PMC full text](https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC6714355/) (full text)

## Agent Guidance

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