The Effect of High-Intensity Interval Training (HIIT) on Cardiovascular and Respiratory Efficiency in Football Players

Abstract

This study aims to investigate the effect of High-Intensity Interval Training (HIIT) on cardiovascular and respiratory efficiency in football players from the College of Education team – Shaqlawa. The researchers employed the experimental method due to its suitability for the nature of the study. The experiment was conducted on a sample of 20 players from the college team for the academic year (2024–2025), who were deliberately selected and randomly assigned into two groups: an experimental group and a control group, with 10 players in each. Homogeneity was achieved in the variables of age, height, weight, and training age. In addition, equivalence was ensured between the two groups in the pre-test values of the following variables: maximal oxygen consumption (VO₂max), post-exercise heart rate, and 1-mile run time. The researchers used the following statistical tools: arithmetic mean, standard deviation, skewness coefficient, paired samples t-test, and independent samples t-test. The findings revealed that the experimental group, which performed the HIIT program, showed significant improvements in all variables: VO₂max, post-exercise heart rate, and 1-mile run time. Furthermore, the experimental group outperformed the control group in these variables, confirming the effectiveness of high-intensity interval training in enhancing cardiovascular and respiratory efficiency among football players.