Effect of low-intensity interval training on physical performance and blood parameters among junior handball players

Abstract

Abstract Aims: the purpose of this study is to investigate the effect of low-intensity interval training program (LIIT) on physical fitness and blood parameters among junior handball players. Methods: Thirty young players participated in this study and were divided into two groups: an experimental group (n=15) which underwent a low-intensity interval training program, and a control group (n=15) which underwent a traditional training program. Blood parameters (hemoglobin (g/dl), mean corpuscular hemoglobin MCH (pg), and hematocrit (%)) and physical capacities (flexibility, speed, endurance, agility, upper body muscle strength, and power) were evaluated before and after eight weeks of training in the two groups. Results and Conclusions: At the beginning and end of the eight-week program, significant differences between the groups were observed. The experimental group exhibited better development compared to the control group in the following parameters: endurance (2.77%, p=0.03), speed (6.8%, p=0.001), power (17.09%, p=0.02), agility (4.22%, p=0.01), flexibility (29.25%, p=0.01), and upper body strength capacity (8.82%, p=0.02). The MCH was significantly higher in the experimental group (p=0.01). However, no significant differences were observed for hemoglobin and hematocrit (p>0.05). Our findings demonstrate that the low-intensity interval training intervention was more effective than the traditional program in improving physical parameters and mean corpuscular hemoglobin. The suggested low-intensity interval training program could serve as a viable fitness strategy for aerobic sports.