Effects of VIFT-Based High-Intensity Interval Training on Physical Performance in Senior Futsal Players

This study examined the effects of an eight-week VIFT-based HIIT intervention on physical performance in senior male futsal players. Methods: Seventeen senior male futsal players were allocated to an experimental (EXP, n = 9) or control group (CON, n = 8). The EXP group completed an 8-week VIFT-based HIIT intervention (2 ses-sions/week) alongside regular futsal training, using 15-s intervals at 95% VIFT inter-spersed with 15-s passive recovery and a 7% distance reduction for changes of direc-tion. The CON group continued regular training. Pre- and post-intervention assess-ments included body composition, SJ, CMJ, CMJ-AS, 5-, 10-, and 20-m sprint tests with and without the ball, the 5–10–5 Pro Agility Test, VIFT, and estimated VO₂max. Data were analyzed using mixed-design ANOVA. Significant time-by-group interactions were observed for VIFT (p = 0.024), estimated VO₂max (p = 0.023), and the 20-m ball-dribbling test (p = 0.035). VIFT increased from 19.28 ± 0.91 to 20.39 ± 0.49 km/h in the experimental group, compared with 18.13 ± 2.01 to 18.56 ± 1.86 km/h in the control group. Estimated VO₂max increased from 56.33 ± 2.69 to 59.39 ± 2.23 mL·kg⁻¹·min⁻¹ in the experimental group and from 52.16 ± 4.95 to 53.29 ± 4.31 mL·kg⁻¹·min⁻¹ in the control group. For the 20-m ball-dribbling test, performance was maintained in the experi-mental group, whereas completion time increased in the control group. No significant time-by-group interactions were observed for body composition, jumping perfor-mance, linear sprint performance, the 5-m or 10-m ball-dribbling tests, or change-of-direction performance. An eight-week VIFT-based HIIT intervention per-formed twice weekly during the competitive season was associated with more favora-ble changes in intermittent running performance, estimated aerobic capacity, and 20-m ball-dribbling performance than regular futsal training alone. No differential effects were detected for most other physical performance outcomes. These preliminary find-ings support the potential use of VIFT-based HIIT as a targeted conditioning strategy in senior male futsal players. Larger studies are needed to confirm these results.