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. 2017:2017:2719752.
doi: 10.1155/2017/2719752. Epub 2017 Feb 19.

Fitness Effects of 10-Month Frequent Low-Volume Ball Game Training or Interval Running for 8-10-Year-Old School Children

Malte Nejst Larsen  1 , Claus Malta Nielsen  2 , Christina Ørntoft  1 , Morten Bredsgaard Randers  3 , Eva Wulff Helge  4 , Mads Madsen  3 , Vibeke Manniche  5 , Lone Hansen  6 , Peter Riis Hansen  7 , Jens Bangsbo  4 , Peter Krustrup  8
Affiliations

Fitness Effects of 10-Month Frequent Low-Volume Ball Game Training or Interval Running for 8-10-Year-Old School Children

Malte Nejst Larsen et al. Biomed Res Int. 2017.

Abstract

We investigated the exercise intensity and fitness effects of frequent school-based low-volume high-intensity training for 10 months in 8-10-year-old children. 239 Danish 3rd-grade school children from four schools were cluster-randomised into a control group (CON, n = 116) or two training groups performing either 5 × 12 min/wk small-sided football plus other ball games (SSG, n = 62) or interval running (IR, n = 61). Whole-body DXA scans, flamingo balance, standing long-jump, 20 m sprint, and Yo-Yo IR1 children's tests (YYIR1C) were performed before and after the intervention. Mean running velocity was higher (p < 0.05) in SSG than in IR (0.88 ± 0.14 versus 0.63 ± 0.20 m/s), while more time (p < 0.05) was spent in the highest player load zone (>2; 5.6 ± 3.4 versus 3.7 ± 3.4%) and highest HR zone (>90% HRmax; 12.4 ± 8.9 versus 8.4 ± 8.0%) in IR compared to SSG. After 10 months, no significant between-group differences were observed for YYIR1C performance and HR after 2 min of YYIR1C (HRsubmax), but median-split analyses showed that HRsubmax was reduced (p < 0.05) in both training groups compared to CON for those with the lowest aerobic fitness (SSG versus CON: 3.2% HRmax [95% CI: 0.8-5.5]; IR versus CON: 2.6% HRmax [95% CI: 1.1-5.2]). After 10 months, IR had improved (p < 0.05) 20 m sprint performance (IR versus CON: 154 ms [95% CI: 61-241]). No between-group differences (p > 0.05) were observed for whole-body or leg aBMD, lean mass, postural balance, or jump length. In conclusion, frequent low-volume ball games and interval running can be conducted over a full school year with high intensity rate but has limited positive fitness effects in 8-10-year-old children.

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Conflict of interest statement

The authors declare that there are no competing interests.

Figures

Figure 1
Figure 1
Fraction of distance covered in various speed zones during low-volume small-sided games (SSG, black bars) and interval running training (IR, grey bars). Data are presented as means ± SD.
Figure 2
Figure 2
Time spent (%) in various player load zones (0-1 (low), 1-2 (medium), and >2 (high) specified in the accelerometers manufacturer's software) during low-volume small-sided games (SSG, black bars) and interval running training (IR, grey bars). Data are presented as means ± SD. ∗ denotes significant difference between SSG and IR at p < 0.05.
Figure 3
Figure 3
Time spent (%) in various heart rate zones during low-volume small-sided games (SSG, black bars) and interval running training (IR, grey bars). Data are presented as means ± SD. ∗ denotes significant difference between SSG and IR at p < 0.05.
See this image and copyright information in PMC

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