Articles In Press / Online First
Back to the articles list |
Back to browse issues page
Aleksandar Miletić1 
, Marko Erceg2 , Grgur Višić *3 
, Fredi Fiorentini2 , Damir Jurko2 , Goran Sporiš4 , Davorin Antonic4 , Halasi Szabolcs5 , Robert Bobinec4 , Goran Vučković6
, Marko Erceg2 , Grgur Višić *3 , Fredi Fiorentini2 , Damir Jurko2 , Goran Sporiš4 , Davorin Antonic4 , Halasi Szabolcs5 , Robert Bobinec4 , Goran Vučković6
1- Preschool Teacher Training and Business Informatics College of Aplied Studies Sirmium, Sremska Mitrovica, Serbia.
2- Faculty of Kinesiology, University of Split, Split Croatia.
3- Department of General and Applied Kinesiology, Faculty of Kinesiology, University of Zagreb, Zagreb, Croatia. ,grgur.visic@student.kif.hr
4- Department of General and Applied Kinesiology, Faculty of Kinesiology, University of Zagreb, Zagreb, Croatia.
5- Hungarian Language Teacher Training Faculty, University of Novi Sad, Subotica, Serbia. & Research Institute, Gál Ferenc University, Szeged, Hungary.
6- Faculty of Sport, University of Ljubljana, Ljubljana, Slovenia.
2- Faculty of Kinesiology, University of Split, Split Croatia.
3- Department of General and Applied Kinesiology, Faculty of Kinesiology, University of Zagreb, Zagreb, Croatia. ,
4- Department of General and Applied Kinesiology, Faculty of Kinesiology, University of Zagreb, Zagreb, Croatia.
5- Hungarian Language Teacher Training Faculty, University of Novi Sad, Subotica, Serbia. & Research Institute, Gál Ferenc University, Szeged, Hungary.
6- Faculty of Sport, University of Ljubljana, Ljubljana, Slovenia.
Abstract: (547 Views)
Background. High-intensity interval training (HIIT) is a popular method in football training aimed at enhancing ball-specific agility abilities. This study evaluated the effectiveness of linear HIIT (LHIIT) and change of direction HIIT (COD) protocols in improving these abilities in senior female football players.
Objectives. The main objective was to compare the impacts of LHIIT and COD HIIT programs on ball-specific agility performance metrics.
Methods. The study involved 60 senior female football players, divided equally into two groups: LHIIT (control) and COD (experimental). Initial and final measurements were conducted using ball-specific agility tests, specifically the M93639, M505, and M20-yard tests. Both groups participated in a four-week HIIT training program.
Results. Both HIIT programs significantly enhanced ball-specific agility in all measured variables. The LHIIT group showed slightly higher improvements in the M93639 test, while improvements in M505 and M20-yard tests were identical between the two groups.
Conclusion. Both linear and COD HIIT protocols effectively enhance ball-specific agility in senior female football players. LHIIT showed a slight advantage in one of the specific agility tests, but overall, both types of HIIT programs contributed significantly to performance improvements. The study highlights the importance of integrating repetitive, explosive, and lower-body strength exercises, along with specific agility and plyometric drills, into HIIT protocols for optimizing physical conditioning and reducing injury risks in female football players. Coaches and sports scientists are encouraged to tailor training programs to meet the unique needs of female football players for optimal performance and injury prevention.
Objectives. The main objective was to compare the impacts of LHIIT and COD HIIT programs on ball-specific agility performance metrics.
Methods. The study involved 60 senior female football players, divided equally into two groups: LHIIT (control) and COD (experimental). Initial and final measurements were conducted using ball-specific agility tests, specifically the M93639, M505, and M20-yard tests. Both groups participated in a four-week HIIT training program.
Results. Both HIIT programs significantly enhanced ball-specific agility in all measured variables. The LHIIT group showed slightly higher improvements in the M93639 test, while improvements in M505 and M20-yard tests were identical between the two groups.
Conclusion. Both linear and COD HIIT protocols effectively enhance ball-specific agility in senior female football players. LHIIT showed a slight advantage in one of the specific agility tests, but overall, both types of HIIT programs contributed significantly to performance improvements. The study highlights the importance of integrating repetitive, explosive, and lower-body strength exercises, along with specific agility and plyometric drills, into HIIT protocols for optimizing physical conditioning and reducing injury risks in female football players. Coaches and sports scientists are encouraged to tailor training programs to meet the unique needs of female football players for optimal performance and injury prevention.
Keywords: Soccer, Ball-Specific Agility, High-Intensity Interval Training, Performance, Female, Professional Athletes.
Full-Text [PDF 324 kb]
(180 Downloads)
APPLICABLE REMARKS
APPLICABLE REMARKS
- The research complements existing literature and makes significant contributions to women's football, an area previously dominated by studies on male players.
- It highlights that both linear and change of direction (COD) HIIT protocols enhance ball-specific agility almost equally, although linear HIIT shows slightly higher applicability in certain areas, possibly due to better starting conditions in the COD group.
- Both HIIT programs can be effectively integrated into the physical conditioning of female football players.
- Understanding the impact of various HIIT training methods on specific motor abilities is essential for optimizing athletic performance and overall well-being. Coaches and sports scientists can use these insights to develop tailored training programs, enhancing performance and reducing injury risks.
Type of Study: Special Issue |
Subject:
Special Issue_1 (#SI01)
Received: 2024/08/26 | Accepted: 2024/11/22
Received: 2024/08/26 | Accepted: 2024/11/22
References
1. 1. Murtagh CF, Brownlee TE, Rienzi E, Roquero S, Moreno S, Huertas G, et al. The genetic profile of elite youth soccer players and its association with power and speed depends on maturity status. PLoS One. 2020;15(6). [DOI:10.1371/journal.pone.0234458] [PMID] []
2. Nowlin L. Fatigue and performance differences between incoming freshmen and returning Division III collegiate women soccer players when completing a repeated shuttle-sprint protocol [doctoral dissertation]. 2020.
3. Jones PA, Thomas C, Dos'Santos T, McMahon JJ, Graham-Smith P. The role of eccentric strength in 180° turns in female soccer players. Sports (Basel). 2017;5(2):42. [DOI:10.3390/sports5020042] [PMID] []
4. Spasic M, Krolo A, Zenic N, Delextrat A, Sekulic D. Reactive agility performance in handball; development and evaluation of a sport-specific measurement protocol. J Sports Sci Med. 2015;14(3):501-506.
5. Šimonek J, Horička P, Hianik J. The differences in acceleration, maximal speed and agility between soccer, basketball, volleyball and handball players. J Hum Sport Exerc. 2017;12(1):73-82. [DOI:10.14198/jhse.2017.121.06]
6. Nimphius S, Callaghan SJ, Spiteri T, Lockie RG. Change of direction deficit: a more isolated measure of change of direction performance than total 505 time. J Strength Cond Res. 2016;30(11):3024-3032. [DOI:10.1519/JSC.0000000000001421] [PMID]
7. Thomas TDC, Comfort P, Jones PA. Comparison of Change of Direction Speed Performance and Asymmetries between Team-Sport Athletes: Application of Change of Direction Deficit. Sports (Basel). 2018;6(4). [DOI:10.3390/sports6040174] [PMID] []
8. Pardos-Mainer E, Casajus J, Julian C, Bishop C, Gonzalo-Skok O. Determining the reliability and usability of change of direction speed tests in adolescent female soccer players: a systematic review. J Sports Med Phys Fitness. 2020;60(5):720-732. [DOI:10.23736/S0022-4707.20.10178-6] [PMID]
9. Sporis G, Jukic I, Milanovic L, Vucetic V. Reliability and factorial validity of agility tests for soccer players. J Strength Cond Res. 2010;24(3):679-686. [DOI:10.1519/JSC.0b013e3181c4d324] [PMID]
10. Nimphius S, Callaghan SJ, Bezodis NE, Lockie RG. Change of direction and agility tests: challenging our current measures of performance. Strength Cond J. 2017;40:26-38. [DOI:10.1519/SSC.0000000000000309]
11. Billat LV, Koralsztein JP. Significance of the velocity at VO2max and time to exhaustion at this velocity. Sports Med. 1996;22:90-108. [DOI:10.2165/00007256-199622020-00004] [PMID]
12. Buchheit M. The 30-15 intermittent fitness test: 10 year review. Myorobie J. 2010;1(9):278.
13. Emmonds S, Nicholson G, Begg C, Jones B, Bissas A. Importance of physical qualities for speed and change of direction ability in elite female soccer players. J Strength Cond Res. 2019;33(6):1669-1677. [DOI:10.1519/JSC.0000000000002114] [PMID]
14. Andersen E, Lockie RG, Dawes JJ. Relationship of absolute and relative lower-body strength to predictors of athletic performance in collegiate women soccer players. Sports. 2018;6(4):106. [DOI:10.3390/sports6040106] [PMID] []
15. Roso-Moliner A, Gonzalo-Skok O, Villavicencio Álvarez VE, Calero-Morales S, Mainer-Pardos E. Analysing the influence of speed and jumping performance metrics on the percentage change of direction deficit in adolescent female soccer players. Life. 2024;14(4):466. [DOI:10.3390/life14040466] [PMID] []
16. Bishop D, Girard O, Mendez-Villanueva A. Repeated-sprint ability - part II: recommendations for training. Sports Med. 2011;41(9):741-756. [DOI:10.2165/11590560-000000000-00000] [PMID]
17. Hewett TE, Myer GD, Ford KR. Anterior cruciate ligament injuries in female athletes: Part 1, mechanisms and risk factors. Am J Sports Med. 2006;34(2):299-311. [DOI:10.1177/0363546505284183] [PMID]
18. Vestberg T, Gustafson R, Maurex L, Ingvar M, Petrovic P. Executive functions predict the success of top-soccer players. PLoS One. 2012;7(4). [DOI:10.1371/journal.pone.0034731] [PMID] []
Send email to the article author
| Rights and permissions | |
 |
This work is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution-NonCommercial 4.0 International License. |
