Author(s): LIU, H.1,2, YANG, W.1, LI, Q.1,2, POON, E.T.3, HO, I.M.K.4,5, LIU, H.1, BAO, D.1, GUO, Y.1, LI, Y.1, Institution: BEIJING SPORT UNIVERSITY, Country: CHINA, Abstract-ID: 433

INTRODUCTION:
Sprint interval training (SIT) is a potent exercise strategy to enhance athletes aerobic capacity in a time-efficient manner. The purpose of this study was to examine the effect of a low-volume court-based SIT program on aerobic capacity and sport-specific endurance performance for competitive tennis players.
METHODS:
Sixteen competitive collegiate tennis players were randomly assigned to the SIT (court-based repeated-sprint training) and traditional endurance training (ET; 45-min continuous treadmill running) groups for a 6-week intervention (3 sessions/week). The maximal oxygen uptake (VO2max), minute ventilation at peak exercise (VEmax), ventilatory anaerobic threshold in percentage of VO2max (VT/VO2), and elimination rate of blood lactate (BLAer) were assessed, whereas the Yo-Yo Intermittent Recovery Test Level 2 (YoYo-IR2) and the tennis-specific HIT&TURN test were conducted at baseline and after the intervention.
RESULTS:
Both SIT and ET showed significant improvements in VO2max (p < 0.01) with moderate effect sizes (ES=0.64 and 0.98, respectively), as well as in VEmax (p < 0.01) with small effect sizes (ES=0.23 and 0.21, respectively), and VT/VO2 (p < 0.01) with large effect sizes (ES=2.37 and 3.85, respectively). The BLAer improved significantly in SIT (ES=1.03; p < 0.05) whereas no significant changes occurred in ET. The magnitude-based decision showed a clear and superior improvement in both YoYo-IR2 (ES=0.69) and HIT&TURN (ES=1.72) tests in SIT than ET.
CONCLUSION:
Compared with traditional ET, court-based SIT can be a time-efficient strategy to improve aerobic capacity and tennis-specific endurance without requiring specialized equipment for competitive tennis players.