PMID 34867471

Research
All papers

Inter-Individual Variability of a High-Intensity Interval Training With Specific Techniques vs. Repeated Sprints Program in Sport-Related Fitness of Taekwondo Athletes

Ojeda-Aravena A, Herrera-Valenzuela T, Valdés-Badilla P, Cancino-López J, Zapata-Bastias J, García-García JM

Question

Does a sport-specific taekwondo HIIT program produce different fitness adaptations and responder patterns than repeated-sprint HIIT in competitive taekwondo athletes?

Summary

In 12 competitive taekwondo athletes, 4 weeks of regular taekwondo training plus either technical-specific HIIT kicks or repeated sprint HIIT improved squat-jump performance in both groups but did not clearly improve countermovement jump, total kicks, or shuttle-run performance. The technical kick protocol was not statistically superior to repeated sprints.

Methodology

  • Competitive national/international taekwondo athletes.
  • 12 participants.
  • Alternating circular taekwondo kicks.
  • Work intervals: 4 s all-out kicks.
  • Recovery: 28 s active/dynamic pause; 1 min passive between rounds.
  • Intensity: All-out efforts.
  • About 10 min HIIT block within a 90 min session.
  • 3 sessions/week.
  • 4 weeks.
  • Randomized two-group training study without a non-training control
  • Squat jump, Countermovement jump, Frequency speed of kick test, and 20 m shuttle run were tracked.

Outcomes

Squat jump

Squat-jump performance improved significantly in both technical-specific and repeated-sprint groups.

Technical-specific F=8.61, p=0.01; repeated-sprint F=5.51, p=0.04.

Improved

CMJ

Countermovement jump did not significantly change.

Reported as not significant.

No clear change

Kicking

Total kicks did not significantly change, and kick decrement index worsened in the repeated-sprint group.

KDI time effect p=0.03; repeated-sprint KDI increased from 3.4 +/- 2.4 to 6.9 +/- 4.3.

Mixed

Shuttle run

20 m shuttle-run performance did not significantly improve.

Reported as not significant.

No clear change

Insights

  • Very short all-out intervals can be embedded into sport practice without lengthy conditioning blocks.
  • Sport-specific HIIT should not be assumed superior without outcome-specific evidence.

Limitations

  • Small sample
  • Short 4-week intervention
  • No non-HIIT control group
  • Athlete-only sample
  • Training-load magnitude not reported

Safety

  • No adverse events were reported, but formal safety reporting was limited.