PMID 34475619

Research
All papers

Effects of small-sided games and high-intensity interval training on physical performance in young female handball players

Jurišić MV, Jakšić D, Trajković N, Rakonjac D, Peulić J, Obradović J

Question

Do small-sided games and running-based HIIT produce different physical performance adaptations in young female handball players during a precompetitive training period?

Summary

In 24 trained adolescent female handball players, 8 weeks of either small-sided handball games or running-based HIIT added to regular handball training improved jumping, 20 m sprint, medicine-ball throw, and Yo-Yo intermittent recovery performance. The HIIT group had the larger Yo-Yo improvement, while most other physical performance gains were similar between groups.

Methodology

  • Twenty-four trained young female handball players from a First League Serbian team.
  • 24 participants.
  • Running intervals.
  • Work intervals: 15 s at 90-95% MAS.
  • Recovery: 15 s active recovery, with 3 min between two series.
  • Intensity: 90-95% MAS from Yo-Yo IRT1 final speed; mean HR 173.75 bpm.
  • About 90 min total with about 45 min conditioning block.
  • 2 sessions/week.
  • 8 weeks.
  • Two-group pre/post training intervention comparing SSG plus handball training with HIIT plus handball training.
  • Countermovement jump, Sprint time, and Yo-Yo IRT1 were tracked.

Outcomes

Jump performance

Both groups improved CMJ and SJ after 8 weeks.

CMJ time effect p=0.00; SJ time effect p=0.00; no significant group or interaction effect.

Improved

Sprint performance

Both groups improved 20 m sprint time; 10 m sprint did not change significantly.

20 m time effect p=0.01; 10 m no significant time, group, or interaction effect.

Mixed

Yo-Yo IRT1

Both groups improved, with a larger gain in the HIIT group.

SSG +17.63%; HIIT +28.40%; interaction F=5.89, p=0.02; group F=6.14, p=0.02; time F=86.02, p=0.00.

Improved

Medicine ball throw

Both groups improved upper-body power as measured by medicine ball throw.

Time effect p=0.01; no significant group or interaction effect.

Improved

Insights

  • For trained youth handball players, either sport-specific SSG or running HIIT can improve several performance markers.
  • Short 15 s running intervals may be especially useful when the goal is intermittent endurance.
  • The study supports supervised progression rather than unsupervised all-out training.

Limitations

  • Small sample.
  • No non-training control group.
  • Randomization not reported.
  • Adolescent female athlete sample limits generalizability.
  • No laboratory VO2max outcome.

Safety

  • No injuries were reported during the training program.