Assessing physical fitness adaptations in collegiate male soccer players through training load parameters: a two-arm randomized study on combined small-sided games and running-based high-intensity interval training

Yan Xiu Quan, Yong Xing Zhao*, Rabiu Muazu Musa, Ryland Morgans, Rui Miguel Silva, Chin Hwai Hung, Yung Sheng Chen

*Corresponding author for this work

Research output: Contribution to journalArticlepeer-review

Abstract

Objective: To evaluate the effects of a 4-week intervention combining small-sided games (SSGs) and high-intensity interval training (HIIT) on physical fitness in collegiate male soccer players. Methods: Twenty-one soccer players were randomly assigned to either the HIIT + SSGs group (n = 11) or a control group (n = 10). Physical fitness was assessed at baseline and 1-week post-intervention, including countermovement jump (CMJ), change of direction (COD) test, sprint test, repeated sprint ability (RSA) test, and 30–15 Intermittent Fitness Test (30-15IFT). The intervention comprised eight sessions over 4 weeks: four SSGs and four HIIT. Results: The intervention group showed small to moderate improvements: mean RSA improved by 4.5% (p = 0.07), CMJ increased by 3.2% (p = 0.12), and 30–15IFT scores enhanced by 6.8% (p = 0.09). Key predictors of group membership included heart rate load per minute (OR 1.602) and various GPS variables. Conclusion: The 4-week intervention combining SSGs with HIIT did not produce statistically significant improvements in most physical fitness variables compared to the control group. Although there were positive trends in variables such as RSA and 30-15IFT, these changes were modest and not statistically significant. The results suggest that while the combined SSGs and HIIT approach shows potential, its impact on physical fitness over a 4-week period is limited, with some variables, like CMJ, even showing decreases.

Original languageEnglish
Article number1466386
Pages (from-to)1466386
JournalFrontiers in Physiology
Volume15
DOIs
Publication statusPublished - 11 Sept 2024

Keywords

  • athletic performance
  • drill-based games
  • football
  • physical fitness
  • training load

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