Pawan Deep, Mohamed Prince Manamkandath, Rinsha Kombath Asaraf, Mark Anthony Dalipe, Yuni Astuti, Bharat Prasad, Sohom Saha, Prabir Mondal
Background: The purpose of this study was to examine the effects of an eight-week training program combining small-sided games with high-intensity interval training (SSG+HIIT) compared to traditional HIIT on the physical fitness of collegiate soccer players. Objective: The objective of this study was to investigate and compare the effects of an eight-week intervention combining Small-Sided Games with High-Intensity Interval Training (SSG+HIIT) versus traditional HIIT on selected physical fitness parameters among collegiate soccer players. Methodology: This was an eight-week randomized controlled trial with parallel group assignment. Twenty-two male soccer players (aged 18-24 years) were randomly allocated to an SSG+HIIT group or a traditional HIIT group. Both groups performed two supervised training sessions per week in addition to their regular soccer practice. Pre- and post-intervention assessments were conducted using validated field tests: aerobic capacity via the Yo-Yo Intermittent Recovery Test Level 1, anaerobic power via the Running-Based Anaerobic Sprint Test (RAST), agility with the Illinois Agility Test, sprint speed over 50 m using electronic timing gates, explosive power via the Standing Broad Jump, and training load perception using the Borg CR-10 Rating of Perceived Exertion scale. Data were analyzed using ANCOVA with pre-test values as covariates and significance set at p < 0.05. Results: Significant improvements favoring the SSG+HIIT group were observed in agility (p < 0.001), sprint speed (p = 0.001), explosive power (p = 0.043), and RPE (p = 0.001). VO?max and anaerobic power improved more in the SSG+HIIT group, though between-group differences were not statistically significant (p > 0.05). Conclusion: The integration of smallsided games with HIIT provides superior improvements in agility, sprint speed, explosive power, and perceived exertion compared to traditional HIIT, while maintaining similar aerobic and anaerobic benefits. This combined approach offers a more effective, sport-specific conditioning strategy for soccer players. Copyright © the author(s). This is an open access article under CC BY license (https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0/) http://dx.doi.org/10.7575/aiac.ijkss.v.13n.4p.121
GNA University, Punjab, Phagwara, India; Tamil Nadu Physical Education and Sports University, Tamil Nadu, India; The Zamorin’s Guruvayurappan College, Calicut, India; Catanduanes State University, Philippines; Universitas Negeri Padang, Indonesia; Central University of South Bihar, Bihar, India; Lakshmibai National Institute of Physical Education, Madhya Pradesh, Gwalior, India
