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High intensity interval training vs. high-volume running

training during pre-season conditioning in high-level
youth football: a cross-over trial
a b c c c c
Oliver Faude , Reinhard Schnittker , Roman Schulte-Zurhausen , Florian Müller &
a c
Tim Meyer
a
Saarland University, Institute of Sports and Preventive Medicine , Saarbrücken , Germany
b
University of Basel, Institute of Exercise and Health Sciences, Birsstr. 320B , Basel , 4052 ,
Switzerland
c
University Paderborn, Institute of Sports Medicine , Paderborn , Germany
Published online: 31 May 2013.

To cite this article: Oliver Faude , Reinhard Schnittker , Roman Schulte-Zurhausen , Florian Müller & Tim Meyer (2013): High
intensity interval training vs. high-volume running training during pre-season conditioning in high-level youth football: a
cross-over trial, Journal of Sports Sciences, DOI:10.1080/02640414.2013.792953

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 Journal of Sports Sciences, 2013
http://dx.doi.org/10.1080/02640414.2013.792953

High intensity interval training vs. high-volume running training

during pre-season conditioning in high-level youth football: a
cross-over trial

OLIVER FAUDE1,2,3, REINHARD SCHNITTKER3, ROMAN SCHULTE-ZURHAUSEN3,

FLORIAN MÜLLER3, & TIM MEYER1,3
1
Saarland University, Institute of Sports and Preventive Medicine, Saarbrücken, Germany, 2University of Basel, Institute of
Exercise and Health Sciences, Birsstr. 320B, Basel, 4052 Switzerland, and 3University Paderborn, Institute of Sports
Medicine, Paderborn, Germany
Downloaded by [Ohio State University Libraries] at 04:12 06 June 2013

(Accepted 27 March 2013)

Abstract
We aimed at comparing the endurance effects of high-intensity interval training (HIIT) with high-volume running training
(HVT) during pre-season conditioning in 20 high-level youth football players (15.9 (s 0.8) years). Players either conducted
HVT or HIIT during the summer preparation period. During winter preparation they performed the other training
programme. Before and after each training period several fitness tests were conducted: multi-stage running test (to assess
the individual anaerobic threshold (IAT) and maximal running velocity (Vmax)), vertical jumping height, and straight
sprinting. A significant increase from pre- to post-test was observed in IAT velocity (P < 0.001) with a greater increase
after HVT (+0.8 km · h-1 vs. +0.5 km · h-1 after HIIT, P = 0.04). Maximal velocity during the incremental exercise test also
slightly increased with time (P = 0.09). Forty per cent (HIIT) and 15% (HVT) of all players did not improve IAT beyond
baseline variability. The players who did not respond to HIIT were significantly slower during 30 m sprinting than
responders (P = 0.02). No further significant differences between responders and non-responders were observed. Jump
heights deteriorated significantly after both training periods (P < 0.003). Both training programmes seem to be promising
means to improve endurance capacity in high-level youth football players during pre-season conditioning.

Keywords: soccer, endurance, preparation period, performance, lactate threshold

Introduction framework to assess aerobic training in football (Hoff

& Helgerud, 2004). The oxygen uptake or velocity at
A well-developed endurance capacity has been
lactate threshold integrates information of work econ-
shown to be beneficial for match performance in
omy and maximal oxygen uptake (Bassett & Howley,
high level football. For instance, an improved endur-
2000) and serves as a relevant indicator of endurance
ance capacity resulted in a higher total as well as
performance in football players (McMillan, Helgerud,
high-intensity running distance in match play
Grant, et al., 2005; Ziogas, Patras, Stergiou, &
together with a smaller decline in match intensity
Georgoulis, 2011).
during the second half of the match (Helgerud,
During the last decade several scientific studies
Engen, Wisloff, & Hoff, 2001; Impellizzeri et al.,
evaluated appropriate endurance training methods
2006). In addition, the number of ball involvements
for football players (Iaia, Rampinini, & Bangsbo,
and sprints were enhanced compared to a control
2009; Meyer, 2006). The majority of studies analysed
group (Helgerud et al., 2001) and technical skills
interval training programmes with interval lengths
were compromised to a lesser degree after an endur-
ranging from 15 s to 13 min (Iaia et al., 2009).
ance training period when players were fatigued
Training was conducted as generic running or was
(Impellizzeri et al., 2008).
organised as small-sided games. Iaia et al. (2009)
According to a classical model, three major factors,
mentioned that “…even though useful in endurance
the maximal oxygen uptake, work economy and the
events (e.g., running, cycling), the limitations of per-
lactate threshold, account for inter-individual var-
forming continuous aerobic high-intensity training for
iance in aerobic endurance performance (Pate &
football should be considered” (p. 302). To date,
Kriska, 1984). This model also serves as a valuable

Correspondence: Oliver Faude, University of Basel, Institute of Exercise and Health Sciences, Basel, Switzerland. E-mail: oliver.faude@unibas.ch

© 2013 Taylor & Francis

 2 O. Faude et al.
however, scientific investigations substantiating this
view are scarce. There is one recent study in youth
football players (age: 13.5 (s 0.4) years) which com-
pared high-intensity interval training (HIIT) with
high-volume endurance running (HVT) using a par-
allel-group design (Sperlich et al., 2011). The authors
observed greater improvements in maximal oxygen
uptake (VO2max) and 1,000 m-time in HIIT and
concluded that time-efficient interval training is valu-
able, in particular, when total training time is limited.
However, players were of a young age and the num-
ber of players per group was low (HIIT: N = 9, HVT:
N = 8). Thus, these findings need further verification
and the transferability to high-level players needs to
be addressed.
Previous studies on endurance training in football
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show relevant differences in study design (Meyer,
2006). Few studies used uncontrolled longitudinal
approaches (Chamari et al., 2005; McMillan,
Helgerud, Macdonald, & Hoff, 2005) or a non-ran-
domised cross-over design (Dupont, Akakpo, &
Berthoin, 2004; Sporis, Ruzic, & Leko, 2008a).
Whereas one study was conducted as a randomised
controlled trial (Helgerud et al., 2001), most research
groups applied a randomised parallel group design
(Ferrari Bravo et al., 2008; Hill-Haas, Coutts,
Rowsell, & Dawson, 2009; Impellizzeri et al., 2006;
Impellizzeri et al., 2008; Sporis, Ruzic, & Leko,
2008b). Up to now, there has been no study using a
randomised cross-over approach. Such a procedure
would enable comparisons of different endurance
training methods on an intra-individual basis and,
thus, allows for a within-subject analysis of adapta-
tional responses to different training (Meyer, 2006).
In view of the above outlined rationales, we aimed
at analysing endurance training effects of different
training programmes during the pre-season prepara-
tion period in high-level youth football players. It
was intended to compare the efficacy of short high-
intensity intervals (15 to 30 s bouts) and continuous
high-volume endurance running using a cross-over
design. Training methods were chosen because they
can be regarded as the “endpoints” of the endurance
training continuum. It was hypothesised that HIIT is
more efficacious in improving endurance capacity in
football players than HVT. In addition, by using a
cross-over approach, we aimed at more closely eval-
uating intra-individual differences regarding the
adaptations to the chosen training methods.
Methods
Study design and participants
Five football teams (a total of 88 field players) compet-
ing under professional circumstances (two highest
German U-19 and U-17 leagues) agreed to participate
in this study and were stratified according to league
and age group. Then, teams within these clusters were
randomly assigned to one of two groups. The first
group (3 teams) conducted HVT during the summer
preparation period, whereas the other group (2 teams)
used HIIT. During winter preparation training pro-
grammes were interchanged (Figure 1). Several tests
of physical fitness (endurance capacity, vertical jump-
ing height, straight sprinting) were conducted before
and after both conditioning periods.
The present study was planned as “per protocol”-
analysis. Thus, it was a priori decided that only those
players who completed at least 8 endurance training
sessions (of at least 12 scheduled sessions) were to be
included into statistical analyses. Due to several rea-
sons (e.g., private or school obligations, injuries and
infections, team upgrade or team change during the
study period) several players missed at least one test.
In addition, in two teams (both U-19 teams) weather
conditions at test 3 and/or 4 were too poor (snow fall)
to allow for reliable measurements of endurance capa-
city. Therefore, a total of 68 out of 88 players (77%)
dropped out of the “per protocol”-analysis. A detailed
description of participants flow during the whole
study period is depicted in Figure 1.
A total of N = 20 players (age: 15.9 (s 0.8) years,
height: 1.74 (0.07) m, weight: 65.5 (4.6) kg)
remained for statistical analyses. As both under-19
teams completely dropped out (due to unfavourable
weather conditions), drop-outs were slightly older,
taller and heavier (P < 0.02) than analysed players.
In addition, there was a slight difference in counter
movement jump height (drop-outs lower, P = 0.06).
No significant differences in anaerobic threshold
velocity (P = 0.46) and all other performance vari-
ables prior to the start of the study between analysed
players and drop-outs were observed (all P > 0.57).
Study design and employed procedures are in
accordance with ethical standards and the
Declaration of Helsinki. The study was approved by
the local ethics committee. Each athlete gave his writ-
ten informed consent before the start of the study. If
participants were under 18 years old, written informed
consent was also obtained from their parents.
Training protocols
All teams trained and played under professional cir-
cumstances in one of the two highest German youth
football leagues (usual training frequency during the
preparation period was at least 6 sessions per week
with additional preparatory matches). Summer and
winter preparation periods lasted 5.5 weeks each.
Specific endurance training was assigned 2 to 3
times per week (a total of 12 to 15 endurance training
sessions during the preparation period). All players
received a heart rate monitor (Polar F6, Polar

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Figure 1. Cross-over study design and flow of teams and participants. Those teams who started during the summer preparation (July/
August) with high-intensity interval training (HIIT) changed during winter preparation (January/February) to high-volume continuous
endurance running (HVT).
Electro, Kempele, Finland) and instructions how to
activate the monitors during the specific training ses-
sions. Fifty-eight per cent of all training sessions were
reliably stored and could be evaluated with regard to
average and maximally achieved training heart rates as
well as total training time per session. All other train-
ing contents (technique, tactics, general athletics)
were comparable during both preparation periods
for each team. Training exposure as well as infections
and injuries were recorded by the trainers and
recalled at post-preparation tests.
High-intensity interval training (HIIT). HIIT consisted
of two series of 12 to 15 near-maximum runs of 15, 20
or 30 s duration (rest-to-run ratio = 1:1). Rest between
series was 10 min and low-intensity activities (e.g., light
jogging, technical exercises) were conducted. HIIT
was performed on a regular football pitch. Intensity
High-intensity vs. high-volume training in football 3
for the high-intensity runs was chosen relative to parti-
cipants’ individual anaerobic threshold velocity (IAT,
according to Stegmann, Kindermann, and Schnabel
(1981)). Pilot work showed that blood lactate concen-
trations rose up to values between 7 and 10 mmol ·L−1
during such interval runs. For practical purposes in
a real training setting, players were classified into
several groups according to their IAT. Corresponding
distances for each group (ranging from 75 (IAT
< 12.9 km · h−1) to 100 m (IAT > 15.6 km · h−1) for
the 15 s intervals) were marked by cones and the trai-
ners set speed by whistling (one whistle at start and end
of each interval). Distances for 20 and 30 s-intervals
were longer than 100 m and, thus, intervals were run
with one turn.
High-volume continuous endurance running (HVT).
HVT consisted of continuous or fartlek runs of 30
 4 O. Faude et al.

Table I. Description of training programmes.

HIIT HVT

contents
individual training sessions recorded
total individual training time (h:min)
mean heart rate (incl. rest periods)
maximum heart rate
2 x 12-15 x 30 s at 125% IAT velocity
20 s at 130% IAT velocity
15 s at 140% IAT velocity
run:rest-ratio = 1:1
10 min light activity between series
10.6 (1.3)
5:49 (1:03)
corresponding to 33 min per session
73.4 (3.6)% of peak heart rate
80.1 (4.2)% of IAT heart rate
98.0 (5.2)% of peak heart rate
Continuous endurance and fartlek runs (30 to 60 min)
in the range of 80 to 95% IAT velocity
10.2 (1.2)
8:00 (1:13)
corresponding to 47 min per session
77.7 (4.4)% of peak heart rate
85.3 (4.3)% of IAT heart rate
90.8 (5.2)% of peak heart rate

Note: Data as means and standard deviations. IAT = individual anaerobic threshold. HIIT = high-intensity interval training; HVT = high-
volume continuous running.
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to 60 min duration at intensities between 80 and 95%
IAT. Such running exercises have been established
for endurance training in high level runners and are
performed with blood lactate concentrations between
1 and 4 mmol · L−1 (Coen, Schwarz, Urhausen, &
Kindermann, 1991). A detailed description of both
training programmes is given in Table I.
Procedures
All tests were performed during an afternoon train-
ing session in a fixed sequence as described below.
Time between tests was at least 30 min for each
individual. Prior to all tests a standardised 10 min
warm-up was conducted. There were at least two
days between the tests and the last match or the
last intensive training session.
Vertical jumping height. Lower limb explosive power
was assessed using a vertical counter movement jump
(CMJ) and a drop jump (DJ, drop height = 0.35 m).
Flight times and contact times were measured using a
contact mat. The electrical signal was transmitted to a
PC and flight time was recorded (NTG 2.0, Haynl
electronics, Schönebeck, Germany). Jumping height
was calculated according to the flight time method.
Both jumps were performed with the hands fixated at
the hips. During CMJ, players were advised to dip
from a standing position and immediately jump as
high as possible. The drop jumps should be per-
formed for maximum height with minimum contact
time (Young, Pryor, & Wilson, 1995). Both jumps
were performed several times (5 to 7 to ensure at least
4 technically correct jumps) and the best four perfor-
mances were recorded and averaged for statistical
analyses.
Straight sprinting. Straight sprinting performance was
assessed using a 30 m sprint test (incl. 10 m split
times) (Faude, Schlumberger, Fritsche, Treff, &
Meyer, 2010). Sprint times were measured using sin-
gle beam electronic timing gates (Brower Timing
Systems, Draper, Utah, United States, height = 1
m). Players started from a standing position with the
front foot one metre before the first timing gate.
Participants sprinted 5 times with 2 min rest in-
between runs. The best 4 performances were aver-
aged and used for further analyses. Due to partly
unfavourable floor conditions (wet and slippy), for
no player were complete sprint data (4 time points)
available and, thus, longitudinal data are not pre-
sented. However, the available sprint times were aver-
aged and used for sub-group analysis (responder vs.
non-responder).
Endurance performance. The exhaustive incremental
running protocol started at 10 km · h−1. Running
speed was set by means of an acoustic signal and
increased stepwise every 3 min by 2 km · h−1. The
test was completed on a 400-m athletic track or on a
200-m oval track on an artificial turf surface marked
by cones on a regular football pitch. Tests were
conducted on intra-individually identical tracks.
The test was terminated when participants failed to
maintain the dictated speed. During the tests ath-
letes were verbally encouraged by the technicians as
well as by their trainers. Players ran in groups of up
to six participants. If the last step was not completed,
peak speed (Vpeak) was calculated according to:
Vpeak = Vcompl + ((t/180) * 2 km · h−1) (1)
where Vcompl was the last completed step in km · h−1
and t is the time in seconds of the uncompleted step.
Heart rate was continuously recorded by means
of a heart rate monitor (Polar S610 and S810). The
highest heart rate before termination was taken as
peak heart rate (HRpeak). Capillary blood samples
(20 µL) for determination of blood lactate
 High-intensity vs. high-volume training in football 5

concentrations (enzymatic-amperometric method; programme and 30 m sprint times. An α–level of P

EBIO Plus, Eppendorf, Hamburg, Germany) were < 0.05 was accepted as statistically significant.
taken from the hyperemised earlobe at rest, during
30-s breaks between the workloads, and at 1, 3, 5,
Results
7, and 10 min after cessation of exercise. IAT was
determined from the lactate curve by means of a Performance effects
computer software (developed by H. Heck,
A significant increase from pre- to post-test was
University of Bochum, Germany) following the
observed for IAT velocity (Table II). There was a
procedures of Stegmann et al. (1981) The highest
tendency for a greater increase after HVT (+0.8
blood lactate concentration during the recovery
[90% confidence interval, CI: 0.6; 1.0] km · h−1; d
period was taken as peak blood lactate concentra-
= 0.84) compared to HIIT (+0.5 [90% CI: 0.2; 0.7]
tion (bLapeak).
km · h−1; d = 0.53). With baseline values as covariates
this difference became significant (P = 0.04).
Statistical analyses Maximal velocity during the incremental exercise
test also slightly increased with time (P = 0.09;
All variables were normally distributed (Shapiro Wilks
HIIT: d = 0.20, HVT: d = 0.22). HRpeak significantly
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test). Data are presented as means with standard

deviations (s). To analyse the time course of changes
in all dependent variables during the season a two-
factorial repeated measures analysis of variance
(ANOVA: factor time: pre vs. post; factor training:
HIIT vs. HVT) was calculated. In addition, an analy-
sis of covariance was computed for change scores from
pre- to post-test for both interventions with the pre-
test values as covariates. Mean standardised differ-
ences (Cohen’s d) were calculated to indicate effect
sizes. When individual pre-post differences in IAT
were greater than the baseline variability (i.e., one
coefficient of variation, CV) the participant was classi-
fied as responder. In case of smaller improvements or
negative changes the player was graded as non-respon-
der (Scharhag-Rosenberger, Walitzek, Kindermann,
& Meyer, 2012). Mean CV for several lactate thresh-
old concepts has been reported to be 2% (Pfitzinger &
Freedson, 1998; Ziogas et al., 2011). Thus, improve-
ments in IAT velocity of ≥ 2% (≥ 0.3 km · h−1) were
considered as training response in the present study.
To compare performance values between responders
and non-responders unpaired t tests were used.
Pearson’s product moment correlations were used to
analyse linear relationships between changes in IAT
velocity from pre- to post-test for each training
decreased from pre- to post-test, whereas bLapeak
remained nearly unchanged. Jump heights signifi-
cantly decreased after both training periods (HIIT: d
= 0.26, HVT: d = 0.54, Table II). Controlling for
baseline differences did not relevantly change the
results of the remaining parameters (all P > 0.25).
Responder vs. non-responder
Whereas 40% (8 out of 20) of all players did not
improve their anaerobic threshold beyond baseline
variability as a consequence of HIIT, only 15%
(3 out of 20) did not respond to HVT (Figure 2).
Non-responders to HIIT were significantly slower
than responders (d = 1.23, Table III). No further
significant differences between responders and non-
responders were observed for either training pro-
gramme. Changes in IAT velocity were significantly
correlated to 30 m sprint time for HIIT, whereas this
was not the case for HVT (Figure 3).
Discussion
The main finding of the present study was that both
training programmes – representing the contrasting

Table II. Results of the performance tests.

HIIT HVT ANOVA P values

pre post pre post training time training x time

IAT [km · h−1] 13.25 (0.63) 13.71 (0.91) 13.30 (0.96) 14.09 (0.89) 0.16 < 0.001 0.06
Vmax [km · h−1] 17.05 (1.06) 17.30 (0.88) 17.38 (0.84) 17.62 (1.00) 0.05 0.09 0.97
HRpeak [min−1] 199 (7) 194 (6) 200 (6) 197 (6) 0.19 < 0.001 0.28
bLapeak [mmol · L−1] 9.9 (1.9) 9.6 (1.9) 10.4 (2.0) 9.8 (1.3) 0.40 0.16 0.60
CMJ [cm] 38.0 (4.0) 36.3 (5.0) 39.4 (4.6) 38.1 (4.7) < 0.001 0.003 0.38
DJ [cm] 32.8 (4.8) 31.6 (4.6) 34.2 (4.2) 32.0 (3.9) 0.23 0.002 0.27
DJ contact time [ms] 208 (39) 217 (38) 217 (36) 217 (39) 0.49 0.29 0.28

Note: Data as means and standard deviation. HIIT = high-intensity interval training; HVT = high-volume continuous running; IAT =
individual anaerobic threshold; Vmax = maximal velocity during the incremental exercise test; HRpeak = peak heart rate; bLapeak = peak
blood lactate concentration; CMJ = countermovement jump; DJ = drop jump; ANOVA = analysis of variance.
 6 O. Faude et al.
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Figure 2. Individual changes in the running velocity at the individual anaerobic threshold (IAT) due to either high-volume continuous
endurance running (HVT, light grey bars) or high-intensity interval training (HIIT, dark grey bars). The sequence of individuals is
organised according to the 30 m sprint time from the fastest player (number 1, left hand side) to the slowest players (number 20, right
hand side). The dashed horizontal line represents the upper border of day-to-day variability.

endpoints of the endurance training continuum –
improved IAT velocity during the preparation period
in high-level youth football players. Thereby, increases
after the high-volume endurance running programme
were higher. This might mainly be due to the observa-
tion that slower players did not respond to HIIT.
Jumping height was similarly decreased after both
training periods.
As the main result IAT velocity increased after
the preparation period as a consequence of both
training programmes with greater improvements
after HVT as compared to HIIT. Impellizzeri
et al. (2006) observed similar improvements (+ 4
to 5%) in lactate threshold velocity after 4 weeks of
preseason training (2 x per week, 4 x 4 min inter-
vals) either organised as generic running or as
small-sided games in junior players of a similar
performance level. Helgerud et al. (2001) found
greater improvements (+ 22%) in lactate threshold
velocity after 8 weeks of 4 x 4 min interval running.
In both studies physical match performance (e.g.,
total distance covered and high-intensity match
activity) was simultaneously improved. Recently,
Sperlich et al. (2011) observed slightly greater
improvements in VO2max and 1,000-m running
time after 5 weeks of 4 x 4 min interval running

Table III. Comparison of physical abilities between participants showing an increase in endurance capacity and those who did not.

HIIT HVT

Δ IAT ≥ 2% Δ IAT < 2% Δ IAT ≥ 2% Δ IAT < 2%

(N = 12) (N = 8) P value (N = 17) (N = 3) P value

age [years] 15.8 (0.7) 16.0 (0.9) 0.66 15.9 (0.8) 15.7 (0.6) 0.59
weight [kg] 64.8 (4.1) 66.5 (5.4) 0.43 64.8 (4.5) 69.1 (3.9) 0.14
IAT [km · h-1] 13.29 (0.63) 13.40 (0.65) 0.40 13.35 (0.91) 13.73 (0.40) 0.40
30 m sprint time [s] 4.13 (0.12) 4.26 (0.09) 0.02 4.19 (0.12) 4.15 (0.16) 0.63
agility test [s] 7.92 (0.07) 8.06 (0.18) 0.10 7.99 (0.16) 7.99 (0.13) 0.97
CMJ [cm] 38.5 (4.2) 37.4 (3.8) 0.56 39.2 (4.8) 40.1 (3.2) 0.78
DJ [cm] 34.2 (5.0) 30.8 (3.9) 0.12 33.7 (4.3) 37.1 (1.7) 0.19
DJ contact time [ms] 210 (34) 227 (40) 0.32 213 (36) 236 (42) 0.33

Note: Data as means and standard deviation. HIIT = high-intensity interval training; HVT = high-volume continuous running; IAT =
individual anaerobic threshold; CMJ = countermovement jump; DJ = drop jump.
 High-intensity vs. high-volume training in football 7
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Figure 3. Pearson correlations (r) with 95% confidence intervals between changes in running velocity at the individual anaerobic threshold
(IAT) and 30 m sprint time for the high-volume continuous endurance running (HVT, top) or high-intensity interval training (HIIT,
bottom) period.

compared to high-volume training in 17 young relevant in a football-specific setting. Therefore, con-

football players (< 14 years).
One reason for the greater effect observed after
HVT in the present study might be the higher total
training time and possibly total work. Helgerud et al.
(2007) compared the effects of four different training
methods (matched for total work) in moderately
trained men and observed greater improvements in
VO2max and stroke volume after 8 weeks of interval
training as compared to continuous endurance run-
ning. Nevertheless, changes in lactate threshold velo-
city were similar for all training programmes in that
study. Training contents in the present study were
not matched for total work but were chosen to be
tinuous endurance running remains a suitable means
for endurance training in high-level football players.
A relevant amount of players did not respond to
training beyond spontaneous variability. Whereas
these were only 15% of all players for HVT, 40% of
all players did not respond to HIIT. Those players
showed the slowest 30 m sprint times. It might be
speculated that these players have a higher proportion
of slow twitch muscle fibres. It seems likely that mus-
cle fibre recruitment patterns were different for both
training methods. Recently, Laughlin and Roseguini
(2008) proposed that recruitment pattern and fibre
type composition may interact with exercise intensity
 8 O. Faude et al.
and duration and, thus, different adaptations in con-
tractile activity, oxidative capacity, capillary density,
and muscle blood flow capacity may result from sprint
interval as compared to aerobic endurance training.
However, to our knowledge scientific evidence in this
regard is lacking and, thus, our results should be
interpreted with caution and regarded as preliminary.
Further research on possibly different adaptations to
HIIT compared to HVT training on an intra-indivi-
dual basis seems warranted. Such investigations may
contribute to better individualisation or grouping of
players during the fitness training in team sports.
Although slight increases were observed, changes in
maximal running velocity during the incremental exer-
cise test in the present study were of minor relevance.
Dupont et al. (2004) found considerably greater
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improvements (+8.1%) in maximal aerobic speed
after 10 weeks of high-intensity interval and speed
endurance training during the competitive season in
22 professional players. The reason for this difference
might be seen in the test protocol of the incremental
exercise test and total training duration. Dupont et al.
(2004) used a ramp-like test with a smoother increase
in running velocity (+1 km · h−1 every 2 min). It
should be noted that peak heart rate at the post-test
was about 3 to 5 beats · min−1 lower, although players
were identically supported by the technicians and the
coaches. Thus, training effects with regard to maximal
running velocity might have been slightly underesti-
mated in the present study. This underlines the
importance of reporting objective criteria of maximal
effort when testing maximally (Faude et al., 2010;
Meyer, Scharhag, & Kindermann, 2005).
In contrast to other training studies in football
(Ferrari Bravo et al., 2008; Helgerud et al., 2001;
McMillan, Helgerud, Macdonald, et al., 2005), we
observed slight decrements in vertical jumping
height after both training periods. Impairments in
lower leg explosive power have previously been con-
sidered critical in team sport athletes. Kraemer
et al. (2004) reported similar deteriorations in
jump height after an intensive 11-week competition
period (including 19 matches) in college football
players. Comparable changes in power parameters
were observed after a highly intensive 6-week con-
ditioning period in rugby players (Coutts, Reaburn,
Piva, & Murphy, 2007; Coutts, Reaburn, Piva, &
Rowsell, 2007). In addition, Faude, Kellmann,
Ammann, Schnittker, and Meyer (2011) showed a
correlation between changes in drop jump height
and corresponding changes in a psychometric stress
score during the course of a whole football season.
Thus, the slight deteriorations in vertical jumping
height should be taken seriously and may indicate a
state of fatigue after an intensive conditioning per-
iod which is not desirable during the competitive
period of the season. However, from the present
results a conclusive statement in this regard is not
possible.
Longitudinal training studies, particularly when
conducted in sports practical settings, allow for eval-
uating the relative efficacy of different training meth-
ods or for estimating expectable training effects of a
particular method. A randomised cross-over design
additionally enables an intra-individual comparison
of training effects and thus increases power (Meyer,
2006). Nevertheless, such an approach is very
sophisticated and associated with a number of orga-
nisational difficulties, especially in practical settings
over a whole season. Therefore, some methodologi-
cal limitations need to be mentioned.
The main limitation of the present study is
obviously the high drop-out rate together with the
clustered allocation of teams. Only 23% of all players
who were initially enrolled completed all tests. When
conducting a study lasting nearly a whole football
season in high-level youth players, obligations with
regard to school or apprenticeship must be consid-
ered. In addition, injuries and infections can rele-
vantly affect test participation as well as training
adherence and, thus, the total number of completed
endurance training sessions. Furthermore, weather
conditions during winter tests were unfavourable for
two teams and valid testing was impossible. In all
other teams conditions were acceptable and compar-
able between the respective pre- and post-tests. With
laboratory testing we might have overcome these
difficulties and, thus, internal validity would have
been higher. Within the present approach, however,
by testing several teams across the country, labora-
tory testing was impossible. In addition, field testing
is economical and more relevant from a sports prac-
tical perspective in team sports and, thus, high exter-
nal validity can be assumed.
The high drop-out rate has led to an unbalanced
number of players who started with HIIT (N = 6
started in summer) vs. HVT (N = 14 started in
summer) and, thus, randomisation of the training
sequence was not perfect. It seems possible that this
may partly be responsible for the greater improve-
ments in endurance capacity after HVT as more
players started with HVT during summer preparation.
However, training effects were not significantly differ-
ent between summer (+ 0.7 (0.6) km · h−1) and winter
(+ 0.5 (0.8) km · h−1, P = 0.19). Moreover, adding
intervention sequence (P = 0.34), playing position
(P = 0.53) or team (P = 0.16) as further categorical
covariates into the analysis of covariance did not sig-
nificantly influence the results. Analysing both the
summer and winter preparation periods increased the
external validity of the study. In this respect, it might
be considered that the reality of football training may
play an important role and should be taken into
account in applied scientific research.

A further limitation might have been the choice
of markers to assess endurance capacity. We
decided to use anaerobic threshold as well as max-
imal running velocity in this regard as these para-
meters are also routinely tested in all German
national teams and many professional clubs
(Faude et al., 2010). VO2max has also been pro-
posed as an appropriate indicator of aerobic fitness
in football (Hoff & Helgerud, 2004).
Determination of VO2max, however, requires
laboratory equipment and would have been too
expensive when testing several teams situated in
different regions of the country. In addition, the
value of VO2max determination has also been
regarded as critical as it may give a global estima-
tion but it is not sensitive enough in homogenous
Downloaded by [Ohio State University Libraries] at 04:12 06 June 2013
groups such as football teams (Meyer et al., 2005).
A further alternative might have been (intermit-
tent) shuttle run tests, e.g. the Yo-Yo intermittent
recovery tests (Bangsbo, Iaia, & Krustrup, 2008)
or the multistage fitness test (Castagna, Manzi,
Impellizzeri, Weston, & Barbero Alvarez, 2010),
as these tests are correlated with match running
performance (Castagna et al., 2010). Nevertheless,
lactate threshold velocity is a commonly used and
widely accepted measure of endurance perfor-
mance and was, in parallel, increased with match
running performance in all previous endurance
training studies in football when both parameters
were obtained (Helgerud et al., 2001; Impellizzeri
et al., 2006).
Although the participants were playing at a fairly
high level, the question remains whether the present
results can be easily transferred to professional foot-
ball at the international level. The level of play in the
present study, however, was comparable to a num-
ber of similar previous studies (Chamari et al., 2005;
Helgerud et al., 2001; Hill-Haas et al., 2009;
Impellizzeri et al., 2006; McMillan, Helgerud,
Macdonald, et al., 2005; Sporis et al., 2008b) and
most players were members of regional and national
youth representative teams.
Conclusions and practical applications
From the results of the present study it is concluded
that both high-intensity interval training as well as
high-volume continuous endurance running – repre-
senting the opposing endpoints of the continuum of
endurance training methods – are promising means to
improve endurance capacity in high-level youth foot-
ball players during the pre-season conditioning period
with greater gains observed after HVT. From a sports
practical point of view, it should be emphasised that
HIIT needs only about 70% of the total training time
of HVT.
High-intensity vs. high-volume training in football 9
To date, this is the first study which compared
different endurance training programmes in football
players on an intra-individual basis. As slower players
only improved endurance capacity as a consequence
of high-volume continuous running, sprinting speed
should be considered when selecting appropriate indi-
vidual training methods. Further research on indivi-
dual adaptational responses to different training
methods seems warranted. Deeper knowledge in this
regard may help to better individualise fitness training
in team sports in practical settings.
Acknowledgements
We gratefully acknowledge the financial support of the
German Football Federation (Deutscher Fußball-
Bund, DFB). Furthermore, we thank all players as
well as the coaches of the participating teams. The
authors do not have any professional relationships
with companies or manufacturers who will benefit
from the results of the present study.
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