High-Intensity Interval Training Effects on Fitness in Youth Soccer Players

NCT07757100 | Completed

• 2 other identifiers: 2021/243713865
• Study Type: interventional
• Target: 24
• Locations: 1 country
• Sites: 1

Brief Summary

This study aims to investigate the effects of an 8-week high-intensity interval training (HIIT) program on aerobic capacity, anaerobic power, blood lactate levels, and sprint performance in young male soccer players. Twenty-four volunteer U19-category soccer players from Sivasspor A.Ş. were randomly allocated into an experimental group (n=12), which performed HIIT three days per week for 8 weeks in addition to their regular training, and a control group (n=12), which continued only their routine training program. Anthropometric measurements, resting heart rate, aerobic performance (Yo-Yo IRT1), anaerobic performance (RAST), and blood lactate levels were assessed before and after the intervention period.

Conditions

Athletic Performance

Keywords

HIIT,Soccer, Aerobic Capacity, Anaerobic, Blood Lactate.

Outcome Measures

Primary Outcomes (4)

• Change in Maximal Oxygen Uptake (VO2max)

  VO2max was estimated using the Yo-Yo Intermittent Recovery Test Level 1 (Yo-Yo IRT1), based on total distance covered.

  Baseline and after 8 weeks

• Change in Anaerobic Power

  Anaerobic power (average power and peak power) was assessed using the Running-based Anaerobic Sprint Test (RAST).

  Baseline and after 8 weeks

• Change in Sprint Performance

  Sprint time was measured over a 35-meter distance using photocell timing gates during the RAST protocol.

  Baseline and after 8 weeks

• Change in Blood Lactate Concentration

  Blood lactate levels were measured at the 1st and 5th minute post-exercise using a portable lactate analyzer.

  Baseline and after 8 weeks

Study Arms (2)

HİİT group

EXPERIMENTAL

Participants in this arm continued their regular soccer training and additionally performed high-intensity interval training (HIIT) three days per week for 8 weeks.

Behavioral: High-Intensity Interval Training (HIIT)

Control Group

NO INTERVENTION

Participants in this arm continued only their existing routine soccer training program, without any additional HIIT intervention, for the 8-week study period.

Interventions

High-Intensity Interval Training (HIIT) BEHAVIORAL

Participants in the HIIT group performed high-intensity interval training three times per week for 8 weeks, in addition to their regular soccer training. Each session consisted of repeated high-intensity running intervals designed to improve aerobic capacity, anaerobic power, and sprint performance.

HİİT group

Eligibility Criteria

• Age: 16 Years - 18 Years
• Sex: male
• Healthy Volunteers: Yes
• Age Groups: Child (0-17), Adult (18-64)

You may qualify if:

• Active male soccer player registered in the U19 category at Sivasspor A.Ş. Football Club
• Regularly participating in team training sessions prior to the study
• Voluntary participation with written informed consent obtained from parents or legal guardians
• Free from any injury or health condition preventing participation in high-intensity exercise

You may not qualify if:

• Presence of a musculoskeletal injury within the past 3 months
• Diagnosis of any cardiovascular, metabolic, or chronic health condition
• Attendance rate below 90% during the 8-week training program
• Withdrawal of consent by participant or parent/legal guardian

Sponsors & Collaborators

• Ercüment Erdoğan: lead

Study Sites (1)

Sivasspor A.Ş. Football Club

Sivas, Turkey (Türkiye)

Location

MeSH Terms

Interventions

High-Intensity Interval Training

Intervention Hierarchy (Ancestors)

Physical Conditioning, Human; Exercise; Motor Activity; Movement; Musculoskeletal Physiological Phenomena; Musculoskeletal and Neural Physiological Phenomena

Study Officials

• Ercüment Erdoğan, PhD

  Ordu University

  STUDY DIRECTOR

Study Design

• Study Type: interventional
• Phase: not applicable
• Allocation: RANDOMIZED
• Masking: NONE
• Masking Details: No masking was applied. Due to the nature of the intervention (supervised exercise training), participants, coaches, and outcome assessors were aware of group allocation.
• Purpose: OTHER
• Intervention Model: PARALLEL
• Sponsor Type: OTHER
• Responsible Party: SPONSOR INVESTIGATOR
• PI Title: Associate Professor

Model Details: Participants were randomly allocated into two parallel groups: an experimental group (n=12) that performed high-intensity interval training (HIIT) three days per week for 8 weeks in addition to their regular soccer training, and a control group (n=12) that continued only their regular training program. Both groups were assessed at baseline and after 8 weeks using the same physical performance tests

Study Record Dates

• First Submitted: July 31, 2026
• First Posted: August 11, 2026
• Study Start: September 20, 2021
• Primary Completion: November 14, 2021
• Study Completion: November 16, 2021
• Last Updated: August 11, 2026

Record last verified: 2026-08

Data Sharing

• IPD Sharing: Will not share

Locations

TU (1)