Impact of interval training on physical fitness and physiological responses of special Olympic Bharat male football players
Abstract
Background: Football performance requires optimal speed, agility, muscular endurance, and cardiovascular efficiency, particularly among Special Olympic athletes who face unique physiological and functional demands. Methods: Thirty Special Olympic football players (mean age: 21.13 ± 2.13 years; height: 170.93 ± 3.05 cm; BMI: 21.50 ± 0.66 kg/m²) participated in a three-week pre-post experimental design. A structured high-intensity interval training (HIIT) program was implemented six days per week with Sunday rest. Physical and physiological parameters were assessed before and after the intervention. Results: Significant improvements were observed in sprint performance (50 m: 6.86 ± 0.10 s to 6.64 ± 0.10 s; t = 159.76, p
Fields of Study & Subjects
Sports Performance and Training
Cardiovascular and exercise physiology
Physical Education and Training Studies
Publication details
- Journal / source
- International Journal of Physical Education Sports and Health
- Volume
- 13
- Issue
- 2
- Pages
- 218–222
- Publication date
- 1 February 2026
- Language
- EN