Fitness effects of 10-month frequent low-volume ball game training or interval running for 8-10-year-old school children

Malte Nejst Larsen, Claus Malta Nielsen, Christina Øyangen Ørntoft, Morten Bredsgaard Randers, Eva Wulff Helge, Mads Madsen, Vibeke Manniche, Lone Hansen, Peter Riis Hansen, Jens Bangsbo, Peter Krustrup

8 Citations (Scopus)
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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, 20msprint, 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 10months, 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) 20msprint performance (IR versus CON: 154ms [95% CI: 61-241]). No between-group differences (P > 0.05) were observed for whole-body or leg a BMD, 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.

Original languageEnglish
Article number2719752
JournalBioMed Research International
Volume2017
Number of pages9
ISSN2314-6133
DOIs
Publication statusPublished - 2017

Keywords

  • Journal Article

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