# Physical and physiological effects of game based and running based High Intensity Interval Training with equal volume: a 4 week quasi experimental study

## TL;DR

This study compares different high-intensity interval training methods and finds they all improve aerobic fitness and agility in amateur soccer players.

## Contribution

The study evaluates five distinct HIIT protocols and their physiological effects in a quasi-experimental design.

## Key findings

- All training groups showed significant improvements in VO2max.
- Reactive agility improved in four of the five training groups.
- Leg-specific vertical jump performance improved significantly.

## Abstract

High-intensity interval training (HIIT) is a well-established exercise method, known for its effectiveness in improving various aspects of fitness. This study aimed to assess the effect of five distinct HIIT protocols, including Small Sided Games Long Interval (SSG(LI)), Long Interval (LI), Small Sided Games Short Interval (SSG(SI)), Short Interval (SI), and Sprint Interval Training (SIT), on aerobic, agility, vertical jump performance, sprinting abilities, and heart rate variability (HRV) in amateur soccer players.

Forty participants were randomly assigned to one of five training groups, and a four-week training intervention was conducted. The pre- and post-training assessments included measurements of maximal oxygen uptake (VO2max), anaerobic power, reactive agility, vertical jump height, sprint times, and HRV parameters.

Results showed that all training groups demonstrated significant improvements in VO2max. Reactive agility performance significantly improved in the SSG(LI), SSG(SI), SI, and SIT groups, whereas no significant changes were observed in sprint times or anaerobic power. Leg-specific vertical jump performance showed significant improvements in the right and left legs. HRV parameters showed variable responses to the training protocols. Significant main effects of Time were observed for LF (F = 3.592, p = 0.016, ηp2 = 0.310) and low frequency/high frequency (LF/HF) ratio (F = 5.699, p = 0.023, ηp2 = 0.151), indicating overall changes across participants from pre- to post-training.

These findings underscore the adaptability of HIIT and its association with improvements in aerobic endurance, agility, and leg-specific vertical jumping capabilities across different training forms, while acknowledging that causation cannot be definitively established due to the quasi-experimental design.