The Effects of an Eight-Week Whole-Body High-Intensity Interval Training on Aerobic and Anaerobic Indices in Male Youth Football Players

Introduction: Functional training, which emphasizes short, intense, and varied whole-body drills, is becoming increasingly popular among younger athletes. This approach may provide a more engaging and challenging experience for youth, catering to their desire for dynamic and stimulating physical activities.
Objective: The Purpose of current research was to investigate the impact of an eight-week whole-body HIIT program on both aerobic and anaerobic performance indicators in youth football players.
Methods: This study employed a semi-experimental design. The participants consisted of male football players aged between 15 and 18 years, with a total of 40 individuals evenly split into experimental and control groups. To evaluate aerobic and anaerobic performance, the graded exercise test (GTX) and the Wingate test were administered, respectively. The intervention involved an eight-week program of whole-body HIIT. ANCOVA was utilized for data analysis.
Results: The HIIT group demonstrated a significant increase in VO2max and AT from pretest to posttest (P<0.001). Additionally, there was a significant reduction in peak heart rate (P<0.001) for the HIIT group.
Conclusion: Whole-body HIIT is an effective approach for improving performance-related fitness in young football players, making it a valuable training option for athletes undergoing advanced rehabilitation.