Physiological and Performance Adaptations to Varying Rest Distributions During Short Sprint Interval Training Trials in Female Volleyball Players: A Comparative Analysis of Interindividual Variability.

ABSTRACT

PURPOSE: This study aimed to examine the impact of different rest periods between short sprint interval training (SSIT) trials on the physiological and performance adaptations of female volleyball players. METHODS: Twenty-four trained college athletes volunteered to participate in this study and were randomly assigned to 3 SSIT groups with different work-to-rest ratios (12 [5-s run10-s rest], 14 [5-s run20-s rest], and 16 [5-s work30-s rest]). Before and after 6-week training, physiological parameters (maximum oxygen uptake, first and second ventilatory thresholds, and peak and mean power output) and physical performance measures (ie, countermovement vertical jump, 10-m sprint, and T-test change-of-direction speed) were evaluated. RESULTS: After the training period, all groups improved (P = .001) their sport-related performance and physiological parameters, ranging from moderate to very large effect sizes. Comparative analysis of the magnitude of training effects indicated that the 16 SSIT group had in a significantly greater change in countermovement vertical jump (P = .007), 10-m sprint (P = .014), peak power output (P = .019), and mean power output (P = .05) compared with 12 SSIT group. By contrast, the 12 SSIT group demonstrated significantly (P = .022) greater changes in maximum oxygen uptake than the 16 SSIT group. However, the change-of-direction speed and changes in first and second ventilatory thresholds were the same among the groups (P > .05). CONCLUSIONS: When performing SSIT, longer rest intervals are suitable for physical and anaerobic performance, and shorter rest periods are appropriate for enhancing the cardiorespiratory fitness of female volleyball players' performance.