Physiological Adaptations of High-Intensity Interval Training (HIIT) for the Improvement of Physical Performance in a First-Division Football Team.
DOI:
https://doi.org/10.63535/x323dk87Keywords:
High-Intensity Training; Physiological Adaptations; Physical Performance; VO2max; Repeated Sprint Ability; Football.Abstract
This quantitative research, under a positivist paradigm and a quasi-experimental repeated measures design, had the general objective of determining and quantifying the physiological adaptations generated by a High-Intensity Interval Training (HIIT) protocol on the physical performance of a first-division professional football team, training at 2,800 m.a.s.l. in Quito, Ecuador. The method consisted of applying a HIIT protocol for six weeks to a census sample of 30 professional players. Data collection was based on standardized physical tests (Yo-Yo IRT L2 for VO2max and Repeated Sprint Test for RSA) and monitoring with GPS devices. The
main results showed a statistically significant improvement (p < 0.001) in both variables. The (indirect) VO2max increased its performance by 249.7 meters (large effect size, d = 1.05). Likewise, the RSA fatigue index was reduced by 2.70% (moderate-large effect size, d = 0.78), demonstrating a robust anaerobic metabolic adaptation. The principal conclusion is that HIIT is a highly efficient and superior stimulus for inducing cardiovascular and metabolic adaptations in footballers, even under hypoxic altitude conditions, fully meeting the study’s objectives. Its mandatory integration into professional training planning is recommended.
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