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This study investigated the effects of short-term and long-term periods (8 and 16 weeks) of high-intensity interval training (HIIT) on cardiovascular components, blood lipids, and 6-min walking test performance in obese young boys (age = 16.2 ± 0.7) with >34% body fat. The participants were split into two groups: severe obesity (SOG; n = 17) and moderate obesity (MOG; n = 16). All participants performed on a cycle ergometer for 16 weeks (3 times per week) of HIIT at 100% peak power output at the ventilatory threshold and recovered at 50% of peak power. Except for BMI, both groups improved all body composition measures after 16 weeks, with a higher percentage of change (Δ) in SOG. The 6-min walking test increased in both groups (p < 0.001). Furthermore, cardiovascular variables, blood lactate concentration at rest and after 5-min post-exercise, blood lipids, and insulin concentrations improved significantly in both groups. After 16 weeks, MOG significantly improved in HRpeak, blood glucose concentration, and rating of perceived exertion (RPE), but the percentage of change (Δ) was higher in SOG for all the other variables. SOG showed a higher (Δ) waist-to-hip ratio, maximum heart rate, resting heart rate, systolic blood pressure, blood lactate at 5-min post-exercise, and triglyceride concentrations after 8 and 16 weeks of training. In conclusion, a long-term HIIT program appears to be an appropriate training approach for obese boys with extra body fat. However, considering the RPE values, short-duration training sessions should be planned.

This study examined the effects of 8 weeks of twice-weekly combined plyometric and sprint with change-of-direction (CPSCoD) training into habitual training regimes of young male soccer players. Participants were randomly allocated to an experimental group (n = 17, age: 14.6 ± 0.44 years, body mass: 61.2 ± 7.34 kg, height: 1.67 ± 0.09 m, body fat: 11.2 ± 1.56%) and a control group (n = 16, age: 14.6 ± 0.39 years, body mass: 61.1 ± 3.96 kg, height: 1.67 ± 0.05 m, body fat: 11.8 ± 1.47%). Measures obtained pre- and post intervention included vertical and horizontal jump performance (i.e., squat jump (SJ), countermovement jump (CMJ), and standing long jump (SLJ)), and sprint performance (i.e., 5 m and 20 m sprint). In addition, Measures obtained pre- and post-intervention included change-of-direction ability (4 × 5 m sprint test (S 4 × 5 m) and sprint 9–3–6–3–9 m with backward and forward running (SBF)), repeated change of direction (RCoD), and static balance performance (stork balance test). The training group experienced superior jump (all p &lt, 0.05, d ≥ 0.61), sprint (all p &lt, d ≥ 0.58), change-of-direction (CoD) ability (all p &lt, d ≥ 0.58), RCoD (all parameters except the fatigue index p &lt, 0.01, effect size (d) ≥ 0.71), and static balance (all p &lt, d ≥ 0.66) improvement. Adding twice-weekly CPSCoD training to standard training improves the anaerobic performance of U15 male soccer players.

We investigated adding 8 weeks of bi-weekly loaded plyometric and short sprints (LPaSS) training into training for under 19 (U19) soccer players. An experimental group (EG, n = 18, age: 17.5 ± 0.58 years, body mass: 67.4 ± 4.37 kg, height: 1.76 ± 0.05 m, body fat: 11.4 ± 1.55%), and a control group (CG, n = 16, age: 17.5 ± 0.58 years, body mass: 68.7 ± 3.65 kg, height: 1.78 ± 0.03 m, body fat: 11.6 ± 1.14%) participated. The pre- and postintervention measures were: the squat-jump (SJ), the countermovement-jump with arm swing (CMJA), the five jump test (5JT), 10 m and 30 m sprint, the ability to change direction (sprint with 90° turns (S90°) and sprinting 9–3–6–3–9 m, involving running both backwards and forwards (SBF), repeated sprint ability (RSA), and balance (Y-balance test). The EG experienced superior jump (p &lt, 0.001, drange: 1.69–1.89), sprint (p &lt, drange: 1.82–2.56), S90° (p &lt, drange: 1.64–2.25), RSA (p &lt, drange: 3.90–4.17), and balance (p &lt, drange: 1.11–2.54) improvement. Comparatively, the pre- to postchanges in the CG ranged from d = 0.36 (dynamic balance) to d = 1.00 (10 m sprint). Therefore, bi-weekly LPaSS training improves athletic performance in young soccer players, particularly RSA.