Effects of High Intensity Interval Training on Balance Ability and Recovery Time in Soccer Players

Abstract

Specifically, high intensive interval training (HIIT) may induce fatigue, which is a natural physiological response. Fatigue decreases dynamic balance ability and subsequently may negatively affect technical performance such as passing, shooting and dribbling. These technical skills are an important component of soccer players. Therefore, the aim of this study was to investigate the effects of HIIT on balance ability and the time required for turning back to baseline in young athletes. Twenty one soccer players (12 males, 9 females, age = 21.76 ± 3.09 years; weight = 64.5 ± 9.8 kg; height = 169.4 ± 7.18 cm) having no history of lower extremity injury participated in this study. The Biodex SD balance system was used in order to determine the non-dominant athletic single-leg stability. To become familiar with athletic single leg balance testing on the BBS, the subjects performed six practice testing sessions within a week. Monark cycle ergometer was used for high intensity anaerobic exercise. Each subject performed four maximal efforts cycling on an electronically braking cycle ergometer against a resistance equivalent to 0.075kg/kg body mass for 30 seconds with three-minute rest intervals. Subjects were verbally encouraged to continue pedaling as fast as possible throughout the each test. After four maximal cycling, subsequently subjects performed athletic single leg stability test and then repeated same test with a five-minute passive rest period for 4 times. The result of this study has indicated that, HIIT negatively effects single leg dynamic balance ability (p<0.05). Furthermore, single leg balance ability turn to the baseline status after 10 minutes passive recovery duration (p>0.05).