Experimental Comparison of Concurrent Training Protocols Incorporating Resistance with High-Intensity Interval Training or Sprint Interval Training Versus Resistance Training Alone on Some Physical Fitness and Body Composition in Sedentary Prepubesce

Alipour-Raz, Meysam; Bijeh, Nahid; Moazzami, Mahtab

doi:10.22034/sbs.2025.536711.1145

Experimental Comparison of Concurrent Training Protocols Incorporating Resistance with High-Intensity Interval Training or Sprint Interval Training Versus Resistance Training Alone on Some Physical Fitness and Body Composition in Sedentary Prepubesce

Articles in Press

Document Type : Original Article

Authors

Meysam Alipour-Raz

Nahid Bijeh

Mahtab Moazzami

Department of Exercise Physiology, Faculty of Sport Sciences, Ferdowsi University of Mashhad, Mashhad, Iran

10.22034/sbs.2025.536711.1145

Abstract

Background and Purpose: Speed, agility, and core muscular endurance are crucial in children’s fitness. This study compared concurrent resistance-high-intensity interval training (RT+HIIT), concurrent resistance-sprint interval training (RT+SIT), and resistance training (RT) alone on speed, agility, abdominal endurance, and body composition in sedentary prepubescent children.

Materials and Methods: Forty-four sedentary children (11.43 ± 0.7 years; BMI: 17.13 ± 1.9 kg·m²) were randomly assigned to RT (n = 11), RT+HIIT (n = 11), RT+SIT (n = 11), or control (n = 11). Training lasted 12 weeks, three sessions weekly. Agility, speed, anthropometrics, and abdominal endurance (30-s sit-up) were assessed pre- and post-intervention. Within-group changes were analyzed using paired t-tests or Wilcoxon tests, while between-group differences were examined with ANCOVA and Bonferroni post hoc tests. Significance was set at P < 0.05.

Results: No significant between-group differences were observed in anthropometrics or agility. Within groups, agility improved in RT+SIT (P = 0.002), BMI increased in RT+HIIT (P = 0.02), and lean mass increased in RT+HIIT and RT+SIT (P = 0.001, P = 0.02). Speed improved only in RT+SIT compared to control (P = 0.001), and was significantly better than in RT and RT+HIIT (P < 0.05). Sit-up performance improved in all training groups versus control (P < 0.05), with no differences among training groups (P > 0.05).

Conclusions: Agility improved within RT+SIT, with no between-group differences. Body composition improved within some groups, without between-group differences. Abdominal endurance improved in all training groups (RT, RT+HIIT, RT+SIT), and running speed improved in RT+SIT.

Keywords

Physical Fitness

child

Motor Skills

High-Intensity Interval Training

Resistance Training

Subjects