Effects of High-Intensity Interval Training (HIIT) on young Honduran soccer players: responses in muscle power, aerobic endurance, cardiorespiratory function, and psychological variables
DOI:
https://doi.org/10.47197/retos.v79.119006Keywords:
HIIT, soccer , muscle strength, aerobic endurance, anxietyAbstract
Introduction: High-intensity interval training (HIIT) enhances endurance, speed, and aerobic and anaerobic capacity, significantly contributing to physical and competitive performance in modern soccer.
Objective: To evaluate the effects of a High-Intensity Interval Training (HIIT) program on cardiorespiratory, neuromuscular, and psychological indicators in second-division soccer players in Honduras.
Methodology: Twenty-three male soccer players from the Estrella Roja club (age 27 ± 6.4 years; height 177 ± 8 cm; weight 81 ± 12 kg; BMI 26.0 ± 3.9 kg/m²) participated, selected using strict inclusion and exclusion criteria. A quasi-experimental pretest-posttest design with a six-week intervention was applied. Aerobic capacity (Yo-Yo Test level 2), pulmonary function (PEF and FEV1), cardiac function (ECG), lower limb power (Sargent Jump Test), and competitive anxiety (Hamilton Scale) were assessed.
Results: After the intervention, PEF increased from 350 to 520 L/min and FEV1 from 3.40 to 3.90 L/min, while resting heart rate decreased slightly from 70–72 to 67–70 bpm, without alterations. Vertical jump power increased from 0.98 ± 0.10 to 1.22 ± 0.12 cm (p < 0.001), and the distance covered in the Yo-Yo Test increased from 2020 ± 180 to 2900.9 ± 210 m, with a reduction in maximum heart rate from 130 ± 5.3 to 122 ± 4.7 bpm. Somatic anxiety decreased from 10.5 ± 1.4 to 7.8 ± 2.4, while psychic anxiety showed a slight increase from 8.5 ± 4.2 to 9.2 ± 3.8, with a moderate decrease in the total score (14.5 ± 2.0 to 13.0 ± 1.8).
Conclusion: These findings suggest that HIIT improves cardiorespiratory function, muscle power, and partially attenuates competitive anxiety in second division soccer players.
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