Effect of 6 weeks of short intermittent running training versus small-sided games on heart rate variability, aerobic and anaerobic performance in Indian elite soccer players

Background: Soccer is characterized by long periods of low to moderate intensity activity interspersed with periods of high-intensity actions, such as single and repeated sprints. Therefore, a well-prepared soccer player must be able to endure long periods of low- to moderate intensity activity and sustain periods of explosive match effort intensification. Objective: To evaluate the effects of 6-weeks short interval running training and Small Sided Games on Heart Rate Variability measurements, aerobic capacity and performance in well trained Indian elite soccer players. Methods: A pretest – posttest experimental design was used in our study. 90 elite male soccer players was assigned into three groups by computer generated block randomization. Group I- Short Interval running Training (N-30), Group II- Small sided game Training (N-30) and Group III- Generic Training (control group, N-30). Autonomic control by HRV, vertical jump height, agility, 10m-30m sprint performance and VO2max by multistage fitness test was analysed. Result: Pre- intervention and post- intervention results was analysed and compared. The difference in agility, vertical jump height, 10m sprint time and VO2max was more in the SIRT group as compared the SSG and Generic (control) group. This difference was statistically significant (p