# Effect of the Intrasession Exercise Order of Flywheel Resistance and High-Intensity Interval Training on Maximal Strength and Power Performance in Elite Team-Sport Athletes

PMID: 37389921
Journal: Journal of strength and conditioning research
Published: 2023 Dec 1
Authors: Petré H, Ovendal A, Westblad N, Ten Siethoff L, Rosdahl H, Psilander N

## Question

Does doing HIIT before or after flywheel resistance training change resistance-session quality and strength, power, and VO2max adaptations in elite team-sport athletes?

## Summary

Twenty-three elite male bandy players trained twice weekly for 7 weeks with flywheel squats alone, resistance training before HIIT, or HIIT before resistance training. HIIT before resistance training reduced flywheel peak power during sessions, but all groups improved isometric squat strength; only the groups that included HIIT increased VO2max.

## Population

- 23 elite male Swedish bandy players.
- Sample size: 23
- Age: 24.7 +/- 4.3 years
- Sex: Men only
- Fitness level: Elite team-sport athletes with at least 2 years of structured strength training
- Health status: Health declaration completed; detailed health exclusions not reported

## Methodology

- Randomized controlled three-group training intervention
- 7 weeks
- Off-season elite bandy training environment
- Randomized and controlled study design.

## Protocol

- Concurrent RT+HIIT or HIIT+RT.
- Modality: Flywheel squat plus cycling HIIT.
- Work intervals: 20 s.
- Recovery: 10 s between intervals; 4 min between sets.
- Sets or repetitions: 2-4 sets of 8 intervals; 4 x 6 flywheel squat reps.
- Intensity: Cycling at 130% wVO2max; flywheel squats maximal concentric intent.
- Frequency: 2 sessions/week.
- Program length: 7 weeks.
- Progression: HIIT volume increased from 16 to 32 intervals; resistance progressed by 0.1 kg when complete.
- Flywheel RT only.
- Modality: Flywheel squat resistance training.
- Recovery: 3 min between sets.
- Sets or repetitions: 4 sets of 6 measured reps after 2 submaximal prereps.
- Intensity: Maximal concentric intent with late eccentric braking.
- Frequency: 2 sessions/week.
- Program length: 7 weeks.
- Progression: Variable resistance via flywheel effort.

## Outcomes

### Flywheel power
Status: worse/safety concern
HIIT before RT reduced peak power during flywheel RT versus RT alone.

Group interaction p=0.013; RT > HIIT+RT p=0.005.

### Strength
Status: improved
Isometric squat strength increased in all groups.

RT+HIIT +78.58% p=0.001; HIIT+RT +41.41% p=0.005; RT +69.87% p=0.004.

### VO2max
Status: improved
VO2max increased only in groups that performed HIIT.

RT+HIIT +10.13% p=0.001; HIIT+RT +10.15% p=0.001; RT +3.14% p=0.273.

## Practical Insights

- For advanced athletes, resistance training before HIIT may preserve resistance-session power quality.
- A 20 s on / 10 s off HIIT structure can improve VO2max even in elite athletes when volume progresses.

## Limitations

- Small group sizes
- Elite men only
- Short intervention
- Specialized equipment
- No jump-specific training

## Safety And Adherence

- No adverse events or injuries were reported.

## Original Sources

- [PubMed](https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/37389921/) (pubmed)
- [DOI](https://doi.org/10.1519/JSC.0000000000004552) (doi)
- [PMC full text](https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC10671210/) (full text)

## Agent Guidance

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