Cardiopulmonary- versus neuromuscular-based high-intensity interval training during a pre-season in youth female basketball players

Purpose. This study compares the effects of 6 weeks of pre-season cardiopulmonary- vs. neuromuscular-based high-intensity interval training (HIIT) in female basketball players’ physical fitness. Methods. Overall, 16 female regional-level U19 basketball players were randomly allocated to a cardiopulmonary-based HIIT (C-HIIT) group (n = 8; age: 17.9 ± 0.6 years; height: 175.4 ± 6.5 cm; body mass: 68.1 ± 7.2 kg) or a neuromuscular-based HIIT (N-HIIT) group (n= 8; age: 18.0 ± 0.4 years; height: 175.6 ± 3.6 cm; body mass: 69.8 ± 5.0 kg). At the PRE-, MID- (3 weeks), and POST-training time points, the participants performed a 30-15 Intermittent Fitness Test (30-15 IFT; aerobic performance) and a repeated sprint ability (RSA) test (6 × 15 + 15 m [with 180° change of direction] with 20-second passive recovery). Results. A 2 × 3 mixed model analysis of variance revealed that both training interventions improved (p < 0.05) 30-15 IFT after 6 weeks (C-HIIT, 8.6% and ES = 2.01; N-HIIT, 3.3% and ES = 0.52). C-HIIT improved (p < 0.05) 30-15 IFT after 3 weeks (3.8%, ES = 0.90). Neither group improved (p > 0.05) in RSA results. Conclusions. C-HIIT and N-HIIT improves aerobic performance in female basketball players. However, for improvements in RSA, other training drills (e.g., repeated sprint training) and tasks with a higher number of changes of direction may be investigated.