Effects of high intensity interval training combined with plyometrics on vertical jump and repeated sprint ability in young soccer players

The aim of this study was to examine the effects of High Intensity Interval Training (HIIT) combined with plyometric exercises on vertical jump (VJ) and repeated sprint ability (RSA) in young soccer players. Eighteen U19 players were participated in this study, and were divided into two groups, experimental group (EG) and control group (CG). Players performed the 30-15 Intermittent Fitness Test (IFT), Repeated Sprint ability (RSA) test, Sargent Jump Test (SJT), and the Rating of Perceived Exertion (RPE) for data collection. A significant improvement was observed in VJ height and peak power within the EG (p = .044, moderate effect) compared to CG (p = .661, trivial effect). Time × group interaction for these variables was not significant (p = .275, moderate effect). RSAmean significantly improved in EG (p = .005, large effect), while a significant decline was observed in CG (p = .006, large effect). RSAbest significantly declined in CG (p = .042, small effect). In contrast, no significant differences were found in RSAbest in EG. Both groups showed no significant improvement in RSAdec (p > .05). Only RSAmean showed a significant interaction effect (p = .000, large effect), indicating a greater improvement in the EG than the CG. The study shows that HIIT combined with plyometric exercises for 8 weeks improved both VJ and RSAmean. The authors suggest integrating HIIT with plyometric exercises to improve VJ and RSAmean for soccer players.

This study investigates the effects of HIIT and plyometrics on young soccer players' performance.