Effects of HIIT, SIT, And RST Running-Based Anaerobic Interval Training on Anaerobic Power and Speed in Field Hockey Players

Abstract

Purpose:This randomized controlled trial evaluated the comparative effects of high-intensity interval training (HIIT), sprint interval training (SIT), and repeated sprint training (RST) on anaerobic power and speed in male intercollegiate field hockey players. Materials and methods: Sixty players, aged 19–23 years, from colleges in Andhra Pradesh, India, were randomly assigned to four groups (HIIT, SIT, RST, and control; n=15 each). Over an 8-week intervention, the experimental groups trained three times weekly on an outdoor track, supplementing routine activities with 60-minute sessions, including warm-up and cool-down. HIIT involved sustained high-intensity running, SIT featured maximal sprints with extended recovery, and RST comprised repeated short sprints with minimal rest, mimicking field hockey’s intermittent demands. Anaerobic power was assessed using the Wingate Anaerobic Test (peak power in watts/kg), and speed was measured via a 20-meter sprint test (fastest time in seconds). Pre- and post-test data were analyzed using paired t-tests, ANCOVA, and Scheffé’s post hoc tests (p < 0.05). Results: All training groups showed significant improvements (p < 0.001), with SIT producing the largest anaerobic power gain (12.07%, 651 watts adjusted mean) and RST achieving the greatest speed improvement (13.14%, 3.25 seconds adjusted mean). SIT and RST were statistically equivalent for speed (p > 0.05), both outperforming HIIT (7.69% power, 7.53% speed) and the control group, which showed negligible changes (0.17% power, 0.27% speed, p > 0.05). ANCOVA confirmed significant between-group differences (power: F = 248.83; speed: F = 42.30). Conclusion: These findings highlight SIT’s superiority for enhancing anaerobic power, critical for explosive actions like drag flicks, and RST/SIT’s efficacy for speed, essential for positional play. HIIT supports general conditioning but is less effective for maximal performance. Coaches can use these insights to design evidence-based training programs, though future research should include female players and on-field metrics.