Effects of High Intensity Interval Training Program on Individual Movement during Competition in Field Hockey Players

PURPOSE: This study aimed to develop a field hockey-specific training program based on high-intensity interval training (HIIT) and to verify its effectiveness by observing changes in individual movements during international competitions for female field hockey players.METHODS: The field hockey-specific training program was developed based on HIIT (≥95%HRmax, work:rest ratio=1:1) through meetings with experts’ and the participation of 13 female field hockey players who were enrolled in the Korean national team. Participants were trained for nine weeks (27 sessions) using this training program. Their individual movements were collected using GPS units during the Four Nations competitions and the 2022 Asian Games before and after applying the training program. Individual movements were defined as total distance covered, meters per minute (MpM), maximal velocity (MV), absolute distance, proportion of total distance covered at low-intensity (LI), moderate-intensity (MI), and high-intensity (HI), and number of accelerations, decelerations, and sprint efforts (SE).RESULTS: After applying the training program, the MpM (9.6 m/min), MV (0.69 km/hr), and SE (3.47 bouts) improved compared to before applying the program. Further, after applying the training program, the absolute distance (633.94 m) and the proportion (14.83%) at LI decreased, while those of MI (553.40 m and 9.78%) and HI (273.07 m and 5.05%) increased compared to before applying the program.CONCLUSIONS: The field hockey-specific training program developed in this study resulted in positive changes in individual movements during competitions, leading to improvements in team and individual performance.