Abstract:

The purpose of the study was to evaluate the effect of high intensity interval training (HIIT) and repeated sprint (RST) training on aerobic performance in football players. 52 male football players who were actively playing football for at least 5 years participated in this study voluntarily (age: 18.69±1.64, weight: 68.94±5.50 kg, height: 177.01±4.78 cm). Participants were randomly divided into 3 groups: High intensity interval training group (HIITG, n=20), Repeated sprint training group (RSTG, n=17), Control group (CG, n=15). Aerobic capacity test (Yo-Yo) and lactate test were applied to all participants at the beginning and end of training. Descriptive statistical analyses of all groups were made. The Shapiro Wilk test was used to determine the within-group normality distribution characteristics of the measured parameters. In each group, Paired Samples T test was performed in pre-post-test comparisons for data showing homogeneous distribution. For non-homogenous data, Wilcoxsan Signed Rank test was used for pre and post-test comparison. In the pre and post-test comparisons of all groups, One Way ANOVA test was used for homogeneous data and Kruskall Wallis H test was used for non-homogenous data. The significance level was determined as p<0.05 and p>0.01 in all tests. As a result of the statistical analysis, it was determined that the percentage improvement (HIITG=%5.83, RSTG=%6.91) values of MaxVO2 measurement were similar to each other. Percentage improvement in lactate test was found higher in RSTG (%27.09) compared to HIITG (%7.6). These finding suggest that HIIT and RST are similarly effective on aerobic performance.

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