PMID 38251308

Research
All papers

The Development and Evaluation of Netball-Specific High-Intensity Interval Training Sessions: The Netball-HIIT Study

Eather N, Stansfield K, Babic M, Lubans DR

Question

Can netball-specific HIIT sessions be developed from match demands and delivered feasibly and safely to junior netball players compared with an established netball conditioning/injury-prevention program?

Summary

This study developed five netball-specific HIIT sessions and then tested feasibility in junior netball players against the Netball Knee Program. The sessions were acceptable and safe in the short trial, with small favorable changes in fitness measures, but average heart rates suggested the sessions did not consistently reach vigorous intensity.

Methodology

  • Phase 1 included 100 female adolescent/adult netball players from 12 teams. Phase 2 randomized 30 junior netball players born in 2010 to Netball-HIIT n=15 or Netball Knee Program n=15.
  • 30 participants.
  • Netball-specific bodyweight, running, jumping, agility, and strength exercises.
  • Work intervals: 30 s exercise bouts within 8 min sessions.
  • Recovery: 30 s recovery.
  • Intensity: Designed as high-intensity netball-specific conditioning; observed average HR about 67% HRmax and peak about 75% HRmax.
  • 2 min general warm-up plus 8 min Netball-HIIT.
  • 1 session/week.
  • 5 weeks.
  • Two-phase development study plus small randomized feasibility trial
  • Session feasibility and acceptability, Attendance and fidelity, Heart-rate intensity, and Enjoyment and feeling state were tracked.

Outcomes

Feasibility

All five sessions were conducted; 27 of 30 participants attended all sessions and three missed one session due to sickness.

Improved

Safety

No injuries occurred during either program, although game-related injuries required some exercise modifications.

Improved

Heart rate

Netball-HIIT produced higher average HR than the comparator in several sessions, but average peak HR was about 75% HRmax rather than vigorous intensity.

Mixed

Fitness signals

Small-to-moderate favorable effects were observed for cardiorespiratory laps, push-ups, and standing jump in favor of Netball-HIIT.

Improved

Insights

  • Sport-specific HIIT can be built from actual match movement patterns and pilot feedback.
  • In inexperienced junior players, nominal HIIT sessions may not reach intended vigorous intensity without familiarization or coaching.
  • Short bodyweight/agility HIIT blocks can be delivered at the start of team training with high attendance.

Limitations

  • Small feasibility trial.
  • Single location and one junior age group.
  • Short 5-week duration with one weather-related break.
  • Maturity, body composition, and habitual physical activity were not measured.
  • Heart-rate responses suggested the intervention may not have achieved intended high intensity.

Safety

  • No injuries occurred during either program. Injuries from scheduled games, including shin splints, a rolled ankle, and a broken arm, required exercise modifications for some participants.