PMID 37745255

Research
All papers

The effects of high-intensity interval training at the anaerobic and psychomotor fatigue thresholds on physiological parameters in young soccer players: a prospective study

Chmura P, Chmura J, Chodor W, Drożdżowski A, Rokita A, Konefał M

Question

Does HIIT prescribed at anaerobic and psychomotor fatigue thresholds improve physiological parameters and small-sided-game demands in young soccer players?

Summary

In a one-group prospective study of U17 professional soccer players, four weeks of threshold-based running HIIT improved oxygen uptake and running speed at anaerobic and psychomotor fatigue thresholds. There was no non-HIIT control group, and two players were excluded because of muscle/tendon injuries.

Methodology

  • U17 professional male soccer players from a Polish second-league club.
  • 14 participants.
  • Running intervals integrated with soccer training.
  • Work intervals: Composite efforts of 5:30, 5:45, and 8:15 across three exercises.
  • Recovery: 3-minute jog after exercises 1 and 2; 4:30 jog after exercise 3.
  • Intensity: Running at anaerobic threshold with accelerations to psychomotor fatigue threshold.
  • 30 minutes for the specific HIIT workout.
  • 2 sessions per week.
  • 4 weeks.
  • Prospective one-group pre/post study
  • Anaerobic threshold physiology, Psychomotor fatigue threshold physiology, and Small-sided game load were tracked.

Outcomes

VO2 at ANT

Oxygen uptake at anaerobic threshold improved after the intervention.

VO2ANT F=11.665, p=0.005; abstract values 45.9 +/- 3.0 to 48.7 +/- 2.6.

Improved

Speed at ANT

Running speed at anaerobic threshold increased.

VANT F=43.875, p=0.001; discussion reports about +9.8%.

Improved

VO2 at PFT

Oxygen uptake at psychomotor fatigue threshold improved.

VO2PFT F=16.833, p=0.001; abstract values 49.1 +/- 3.4 to 52.0 +/- 3.6.

Improved

Speed at PFT

Running speed at psychomotor fatigue threshold increased.

VPFT F=43.875, p=0.001; discussion reports about +9.0%.

Improved

HR at PFT

Heart rate at psychomotor fatigue threshold did not significantly change.

HRPFT p=0.206.

No clear change

SSG load

Small-sided games showed effects for HRmax, mean velocity, and decelerations, but not total distance, max velocity, or accelerations.

HRmax p=0.001; Vmean p=0.007; decelerations p=0.003; TDC, Vmax, and accelerations not significant.

Mixed

Insights

  • Threshold-based intensity control can individualize running HIIT in trained youth soccer players.
  • Small-sided games exceeded anaerobic threshold but did not reach psychomotor fatigue threshold, suggesting game formats may need modification for higher-intensity targets.
  • Because there was no control group, the improvements cannot be confidently attributed only to the HIIT program.

Limitations

  • No control group.
  • Small sample of young male soccer players.
  • Two players were excluded due to muscle/tendon injuries.
  • Findings may not generalize beyond developing athletes.
  • Authors called for pitch modifications and research in other age and fitness groups.

Safety

  • Two participants were excluded during the study due to muscle/tendon injury; relationship to intervention was not clearly specified.
  • Heart rate was monitored during training for intensity control.