The effects of 8 weeks of sprint interval training on repeated sprinting and specialized ability in college volleyball players.

<h4>Objective</h4>This study aimed to investigate the effects of 8 weeks of sprint interval training (SIT) on repeated sprinting ability and specialized performance in collegiate volleyball players.<h4>Methods</h4>Twenty-eight male collegiate volleyball players were randomly...

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Main Authors: Chao Wei, Jing An, Lin Zhou
Format: Article
Language:English
Published: Public Library of Science (PLoS) 2025-01-01
Series:PLoS ONE
Online Access:https://doi.org/10.1371/journal.pone.0327561
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author Chao Wei
Jing An
Lin Zhou
author_facet Chao Wei
Jing An
Lin Zhou
author_sort Chao Wei
collection DOAJ
description <h4>Objective</h4>This study aimed to investigate the effects of 8 weeks of sprint interval training (SIT) on repeated sprinting ability and specialized performance in collegiate volleyball players.<h4>Methods</h4>Twenty-eight male collegiate volleyball players were randomly assigned to sprint interval training (SIT, n = 14) or high-intensity interval training (HIIT, n = 14) groups. The SIT group performed all-out sprints (6 × 30m with 30s rest) twice weekly in addition to regular volleyball training, while the HIIT group underwent high-intensity interval training alongside identical regular volleyball training. Repeated sprint ability (ideal sprint time IS, total sprint time TS, and performance decrement PD), aerobic capacity (VO₂max, velocity at VO₂max [vVO₂max], ventilatory thresholds VT1 and VT2), and volleyball-specific abilities (modified agility T-test, countermovement vertical jump [CMVJ], and spike jump [SPJ]) were assessed before and after the intervention.<h4>Results</h4>Following the intervention, the SIT group showed significantly greater improvements than the HIIT group in VO₂max (46.93 ± 4.25 vs 50.90 ± 4.17 ml/min/kg, p < 0.001), vVO₂max (14.53 ± 1.61 vs 17.03 ± 1.15 km/h, p < 0.001), VT1 (69.61 ± 4.22% vs 74.43 ± 5.25%, p < 0.001), modified agility T-test (7.85 ± 1.04 vs 6.87 ± 0.71s, p < 0.001), CMVJ (35.77 ± 3.91 vs 40.14 ± 2.82 cm, p < 0.001), and SPJ (61.20 ± 3.92 vs 65.57 ± 2.64 cm, p < 0.001). Both groups demonstrated significant improvements in IS and TS (p < 0.05), with larger effect sizes observed in the SIT group (IS: 1.060 vs 0.581; TS: 1.164 vs 0.678). No significant between-group differences were found in PD and VT2.<h4>Conclusion</h4>Eight weeks of sprint interval training effectively enhances repeated sprinting ability, aerobic capacity, and specialized skills in collegiate volleyball players, with particularly notable improvements in vertical jumping ability and agility. These findings suggest that SIT represents an effective and time-efficient training method for improving volleyball performance.
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spelling doaj-art-49614dc821334734be4499493c5b936a2025-08-20T03:12:34ZengPublic Library of Science (PLoS)PLoS ONE1932-62032025-01-01207e032756110.1371/journal.pone.0327561The effects of 8 weeks of sprint interval training on repeated sprinting and specialized ability in college volleyball players.Chao WeiJing AnLin Zhou<h4>Objective</h4>This study aimed to investigate the effects of 8 weeks of sprint interval training (SIT) on repeated sprinting ability and specialized performance in collegiate volleyball players.<h4>Methods</h4>Twenty-eight male collegiate volleyball players were randomly assigned to sprint interval training (SIT, n = 14) or high-intensity interval training (HIIT, n = 14) groups. The SIT group performed all-out sprints (6 × 30m with 30s rest) twice weekly in addition to regular volleyball training, while the HIIT group underwent high-intensity interval training alongside identical regular volleyball training. Repeated sprint ability (ideal sprint time IS, total sprint time TS, and performance decrement PD), aerobic capacity (VO₂max, velocity at VO₂max [vVO₂max], ventilatory thresholds VT1 and VT2), and volleyball-specific abilities (modified agility T-test, countermovement vertical jump [CMVJ], and spike jump [SPJ]) were assessed before and after the intervention.<h4>Results</h4>Following the intervention, the SIT group showed significantly greater improvements than the HIIT group in VO₂max (46.93 ± 4.25 vs 50.90 ± 4.17 ml/min/kg, p < 0.001), vVO₂max (14.53 ± 1.61 vs 17.03 ± 1.15 km/h, p < 0.001), VT1 (69.61 ± 4.22% vs 74.43 ± 5.25%, p < 0.001), modified agility T-test (7.85 ± 1.04 vs 6.87 ± 0.71s, p < 0.001), CMVJ (35.77 ± 3.91 vs 40.14 ± 2.82 cm, p < 0.001), and SPJ (61.20 ± 3.92 vs 65.57 ± 2.64 cm, p < 0.001). Both groups demonstrated significant improvements in IS and TS (p < 0.05), with larger effect sizes observed in the SIT group (IS: 1.060 vs 0.581; TS: 1.164 vs 0.678). No significant between-group differences were found in PD and VT2.<h4>Conclusion</h4>Eight weeks of sprint interval training effectively enhances repeated sprinting ability, aerobic capacity, and specialized skills in collegiate volleyball players, with particularly notable improvements in vertical jumping ability and agility. These findings suggest that SIT represents an effective and time-efficient training method for improving volleyball performance.https://doi.org/10.1371/journal.pone.0327561
spellingShingle Chao Wei
Jing An
Lin Zhou
The effects of 8 weeks of sprint interval training on repeated sprinting and specialized ability in college volleyball players.
PLoS ONE
title The effects of 8 weeks of sprint interval training on repeated sprinting and specialized ability in college volleyball players.
title_full The effects of 8 weeks of sprint interval training on repeated sprinting and specialized ability in college volleyball players.
title_fullStr The effects of 8 weeks of sprint interval training on repeated sprinting and specialized ability in college volleyball players.
title_full_unstemmed The effects of 8 weeks of sprint interval training on repeated sprinting and specialized ability in college volleyball players.
title_short The effects of 8 weeks of sprint interval training on repeated sprinting and specialized ability in college volleyball players.
title_sort effects of 8 weeks of sprint interval training on repeated sprinting and specialized ability in college volleyball players
url https://doi.org/10.1371/journal.pone.0327561
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