The impact of running-based high-intensity interval training with changes of direction on physical performance of female soccer players

The aim of this study was to determine the impact of running-based high-intensity interval training with changes of direction on the physical performance of female soccer players. Twenty-four female amateur football players (age: 19.25 ± 2.07 years; height: 165.20 ± 6.27 cm; weight: 59.04 ± 6.62 kg) were divided into two groups (experimental – HIIT COD and control – CON) and participated in the study. The experimental period lasted 8 weeks, during which twelve sessions of HIIT COD were implemented. The physical tests included 10m, 20m, and 30m sprints, the 30-15 IFT, RAT-O (offensive agility), RAT-D (defensive agility), RAT-Y (Y agility), and the 5-0-5 COD test. The results indicated that, compared to the CON group, statistically significant changes between the pre- and post-tests occurred in the HIIT COD group for all tests except the 10m sprint. A comparison between the HIIT COD and CON groups revealed a significant group-by-time interaction in the 30-15 IFT (F = 44.36, p < 0.001). Post-hoc analysis showed a significant difference in favor of the HIIT COD group (t = 4.864, p = 0.002). A significant group-by-time interaction was also found in the 5-0-5L test (F = 39.60, p < 0.001). Post-hoc tests showed a significant improvement in favor of the HIIT COD group over the CON group (t = -5.364, p = 0.001). In conclusion, this study shows that the implementation of short-duration, running-based HIIT COD into regular training can improve short linear sprints, agility, COD, and intermittent endurance performance in female soccer players.