The Effects of High-Intensity Training Variations on Biomechanics, Physiology, Biochemistry and Performance in Athletes

A special issue of Sports (ISSN 2075-4663).

Deadline for manuscript submissions: 25 August 2025 | Viewed by 3713

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School of Physical Education and Sports Science, Aristotle University of Thessaloniki, 54124 Thessaloniki, Greece
Interests: swimming; training and its evaluation in swimming; analysis of technique and its practice in swimming; evaluation of biochemical and physiological parameters in exercise
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Guest Editor
Faculty of Health and Rehabilitation Sciences, Metropolitan College of Thessaloniki, University of East London, 54624 Thessaloniki, Greece
Interests: ergogenic supplements; inflammatory bowel disease; swimming coaching; alternative motor skills learning approaches
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Special Issue Information

Dear Colleagues,

Dedication to exercise often incorporates high-intensity training (HIT) variations into people’s periodization plans to maximize health benefits and performance in physical activity trainees and athletes, respectively. Common HIT variations include high-intensity interval training (HIIT), sprint intensity interval training (SIIT), repeated sprint training (RPT), and ultra-short race-pace training (USRPT), among others. These variations differ in volume, interval duration, intensity, repeatability, etc. Therefore, utilizing precise training regimens tailored to the specific needs for promoting health or performance improvement is becoming the gold standard for coaching science.

We invite researchers, coaches, and experts in the field to contribute their valuable insights to this important scientific topic. By exploring the intricate relationship between HIT and various training factors, this Special Issue aims to offer guidance to experts on how they will manage their training periodization. We encourage you to submit original research articles, reviews (narrative, scoping, systematic, and meta-analysis), and case studies to further our collective understanding of this critical area. Your contributions to this Special Issue will undoubtedly provide invaluable knowledge, help bridge gaps in understanding, and offer practical recommendations to enhance the training quality and efficiency.

We look forward to receiving your valuable research.

Dr. George A. Tsalis
Dr. Konstantinos Papadimitriou
Guest Editors

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Keywords

  • children
  • puberty
  • adults
  • elderly
  • physical activity
  • well-being
  • performance

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Published Papers (2 papers)

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Research

17 pages, 8924 KiB  
Article
The Impact of Modified Tabata Training on Segmental Fat Accumulation, Muscle Mass, Muscle Thickness, and Physical and Cardiorespiratory Fitness in Overweight and Obese Participants: A Randomized Control Trial
by Tadsawiya Padkao and Piyapong Prasertsri
Sports 2025, 13(4), 99; https://doi.org/10.3390/sports13040099 - 26 Mar 2025
Viewed by 956
Abstract
The purpose of this study was to examine changes in body fat, muscle mass, muscle thickness, and physical and cardiorespiratory fitness in overweight and obese individuals following progressive Tabata training. Thirty-six participants were randomly assigned to either the Tabata group (four progressive cycles [...] Read more.
The purpose of this study was to examine changes in body fat, muscle mass, muscle thickness, and physical and cardiorespiratory fitness in overweight and obese individuals following progressive Tabata training. Thirty-six participants were randomly assigned to either the Tabata group (four progressive cycles of body-weight high-intensity intermittent training at 75–85% of maximum perceived exertion, 3 days/week for 12 weeks) or the control group. Body composition, muscle thickness, strength and endurance, and peak oxygen uptake (VO2peak) were measured at baseline and after the training period and compared between groups. No changes in body fat percentage and fat mass were found, but the waist-to-hip ratio was lower in the Tabata group (p = 0.043). The muscle mass percentages of the right (p = 0.026) and left legs (p = 0.043) increased, while the muscle thicknesses of the biceps, triceps, rectus femoris, and vastus intermedius were increased in the Tabata group (p < 0.05) to a greater extent than in the control group (p < 0.05). Muscle strength and endurance (p < 0.05), as well as VO2peak (p = 0.006), also increased in the Tabata group. Twelve weeks of modified Tabata training effectively increased muscle mass and thickness and physical and cardiorespiratory fitness, although it did not reduce fat mass in overweight and obese participants. The combination of this training with a dietary intervention may have a more obvious impact. Full article
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13 pages, 623 KiB  
Article
Optimizing Muscle Performance in Young Soccer Players: Exploring the Impact of Resisted Sprint Training and Its Relationship with Distance Covered
by Felipe Hermosilla-Palma, Juan Francisco Loro-Ferrer, Pablo Merino-Muñoz, Nicolás Gómez-Álvarez, Rodrigo Zacca, Hugo Cerda-Kohler, Ciro Brito, Jorge Pérez-Contreras, Moacyr Portes-Junior and Esteban Aedo-Muñoz
Sports 2025, 13(1), 26; https://doi.org/10.3390/sports13010026 - 20 Jan 2025
Viewed by 2148
Abstract
Background: Speed training with resisted sprints has been shown to positively affect neuromuscular performance in soccer players. Various loads, ranging from 10% to 120% of body mass, have demonstrated performance improvements across the spectrum. However, the impact of sprint distance with optimal load [...] Read more.
Background: Speed training with resisted sprints has been shown to positively affect neuromuscular performance in soccer players. Various loads, ranging from 10% to 120% of body mass, have demonstrated performance improvements across the spectrum. However, the impact of sprint distance with optimal load on these adaptive responses has yet to be thoroughly described. Objective. To analyze the influence of sprint distance in resisted sprints on muscle performance in young soccer players. Methods. This quantitative study utilized a pre-post experimental design. The sample consisted of 24 young soccer players (15.3 ± 0.68 years; 61.4 ± 7.08 kg; 1.60 ± 0.06 m) randomized into three groups (10, 20, and 30 m) and subjected to 12 sessions of resisted sprint training over six weeks. The volume was homogenized across groups, with a total distance of 120 m for each. The intervention’s effect was analyzed through performance in the isometric mid-thigh pull (IMTP), countermovement jump (CMJ), modified 505 agility test (505 m), and linear sprint tests. Differences were analyzed using a mixed ANOVA, incorporating a between-subjects factor (training group) and a within-subjects factor (pre- and post-intervention). Results. Time-dependent differences were observed in all groups for peak force (PF) (p < 0.001; η2p = 0.62), time to PF (TPF) (p < 0.001; η2p = 0.53), impulse at 50 (p < 0.001; η2p = 0.57), 100 (p < 0.001; η2p = 0.60), and 200 ms (p < 0.001; η2p = 0.67) in IMTP; jump height by impulse-momentum (p < 0.001; η2p = 0.64), rate of force development (p = 0.04; η2p = 0.14), yielding impulse (p < 0.001; η2p = 0.49), and concentric impulse (p = 0.01; η2p = 0.19) in CMJ; time (p < 0.001; η2p = 0.46) in 505 m; and average speed in linear sprint (p = 0.003; η2p = 0.36), with moderate to large effect sizes, regardless of the distance covered. No differences were observed for the interaction between the time* and group or between groups. Conclusion. Performance improvements were independent of the sprint distance, with no differences between training groups. Distances between 10 and 30 m may enhance muscle performance in young soccer players. Full article
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