The Effects of Sport-Specific Drills Training or High-Intensity Interval Training in Young Tennis Players

Purpose: To compare the effects of combining high-intensity training (HIT) and sport-specific drill training (MT) versus sportspecific drill training alone (DT) on fitness performance characteristics in young tennis players.

Methods: Twenty young tennis players (14.8 ± 0.1 y) were assigned to either DT (n = 10) or MT (n = 10) for 8 wk. Tennis drills consisted of two 16- to 22-min on-court exercise sessions separated by 3 min of passive rest, while MT consisted of 1 sport-specific DT session and 1 HIT session, using 16-22 min of runs at intensities (90-95%) related to the velocity obtained in the 30-15 Intermittent Fitness Test (V) separated by 3 min of passive rest. Pre- and posttests included peak oxygen uptake (VOpeak), V, speed (20 m, with 5- and 10-m splits), 505 Agility Test, and countermovement jump (CMJ).

Results: There were significant improvements after the training period in VOpeak (DT 2.4%, ES = moderate; MT 4.2%, ES = large) and V (DT 2.2%, ES = small; MT 6.3%, ES = large) for both DT and MT, with no differences between training protocols. Results also showed a large increase in the 505 Agility Test after MT, while no changes were reported in the other tests (sprint and CMJ), either for MT or DT.

Conclusions: Even though both training programs resulted in significant improvements in aerobic performance, a mixed program combining tennis drills and runs based on the V led to greater gains and should be considered the preferred training method for improving aerobic power in young athletes.