Effects of high intensity interval training and high volume endurance training on maximal aerobic capacity, speed and power in club level gaelic football players
Cregg, Cathal J
(2013)
Effects of high intensity interval training and high volume endurance training on maximal aerobic capacity, speed and power in club level gaelic football players.
Master of Science thesis, Dublin City University.
Purpose: To compare the effects of high intensity interval training (HIIT) and high volume endurance training (HVET) on indices of endurance, speed and power in male Gaelic football players.
Methods: Club level Gaelic football players (n=25) ranging from 18 to 35 years of age were randomly assigned to a HIIT (mean ± SD; 27.2 ± 3.6 yr) or a HVET ( mean ± SD 24.7 ± 4.0 yr) group. Participants trained 3 d.wk-1 for 6 weeks. Maximal aerobic capacity, vertical jump (VJ), countermovement jump (CMJ), and 5 m and 20 m sprint times were measured at baseline and after 6 weeks. Participants also performed 6 x 10 sec bouts of cycling against a resistance equal to 7.5% body weight interspersed with a 50 sec recovery period before and after the 6 weeks of training.
Results: Maximal aerobic capacity increased significantly in both the HIIT and HVET group in response to the 6 week training program, and the percentage improvement was similar (7%) in both groups. There was no change in CMJ, CMJ flight time or 5 m speed in either group in response to training. Compared to baseline, performance in the VJ and 20 m sprint decreased significantly in the HVET group following the 6 week training program, and did not change in the HIIT group. Average power and peak power during the fifth and sixth cycling test increased and the rate of fatigue decreased in the HIIT group only.
Conclusion: In contrast to HVET, HIIT is a time efficient training method for improving aerobic capacity and maintaining indices of speed and power in club level Gaelic football players.