Exercise Recovery Following High-Intensity Interval TrainingHIIT-AANCT07898046
Amino-Acid and Recovery Responses Across Two Fixed-Sequence HIIT Sessions in Trained Male Football Players
A study testing HIIT 1:1 and HIIT 1:2 in people with Exercise Recovery Following High-Intensity Interval Training and High-Intensity Interval Training in Football Players, run by Ondokuz Mayıs University at 1 site in Turkey (Türkiye).
Trial summary
This study evaluated how trained young male football players responded to two high-intensity interval training (HIIT) sessions that differed in the length of the passive recovery period between repeated running bouts. Participants completed both exercise conditions in a fixed order. Read more about this study
- Who is it for?
- Ages 18 to 32 years, men onlyHealthy volunteers can take part
- Conditions the study is for
- Exercise Recovery Following High-Intensity Interval Training, High-Intensity Interval Training in Football Players
- What is being tested?
- HIIT 1:1 and HIIT 1:2
- Type of treatment
- Lifestyle or therapy programme
- Could I receive a placebo?
- No, everyone receives an active treatment
- How many people
- 20 participants
- Where
- 1 siteTurkey (Türkiye)
- Study dates
- 1 May 2024to 1 Jun 2024
- Phase
- Interventional
- Are there results?
- None posted in the registry
Key requirements
Who can take part, as listed by the sponsor. Only the study team can confirm whether you are eligible, so take this list to your doctor.
- Ages 18 to 32 years
- Men only
- Healthy volunteers accepted
- Adult
Who may be able to join
- Male amateur or semi-professional football player.
- Minimum of four years of systematic football training experience.
- Regular participation in football training at least three times per week.
- Free from musculoskeletal injury during the previous six months.
- No history of cardiovascular, metabolic, or neurological disorders.
- Willingness to provide written informed consent and complete the study procedures.
Who cannot join
- Use of nutritional supplements during the study period.
- Use of performance-enhancing substances.
- Use of medications that could influence metabolic or physiological responses.
- Inability to complete the experimental procedures or both HIIT sessions.
Trial locations and contacts
1 site in 1 country.
Turkey (Türkiye)1 site
Football field of Sivas Cumhuriyet University
Sivas, Sivas, 58140
About this study
This study evaluated how trained young male football players responded to two high-intensity interval training (HIIT) sessions that differed in the length of the passive recovery period between repeated running bouts. Participants completed both exercise conditions in a fixed order. The first session used 10 seconds of high-intensity running followed by 10 seconds of passive recovery (HIIT 1:1). Seven days later, the same participants completed a second session using 10 seconds of high-intensity running followed by 20 seconds of passive recovery (HIIT 1:2).
Both exercise sessions were matched for exercise intensity, active work duration, number of repetitions, and prescribed running distance. Participants were assessed before exercise, immediately after exercise, and at 6, 24, 48, and 72 hours after each session.
The study examined biochemical responses, perceived muscle soreness, countermovement jump performance, and changes in circulating amino acids and amino acid-related compounds. The purpose was to describe and compare recovery responses across the two fixed-sequence HIIT sessions. Because all participants completed HIIT 1:1 first and HIIT 1:2 second, the study was not randomized or counterbalanced, and any differences between sessions may also reflect session-order effects.
Read the detailed description
This was an exploratory, single-group, fixed-sequence within-subject study conducted in trained young male amateur and semi-professional football players. All participants completed two high-intensity interval training (HIIT) sessions separated by seven days. The order was fixed: HIIT 1:1 was performed first, followed by HIIT 1:2 one week later. The sequence was neither randomized nor counterbalanced.
Before the experimental sessions, participants completed the 30-15 Intermittent Fitness Test to determine individual maximal intermittent running velocity (VIFT). Exercise intensity during both HIIT sessions was prescribed at 95% of each participant's VIFT. Each protocol consisted of two sets of 30 running repetitions, giving 60 work bouts and a total active running duration of 10 minutes per session. Each work interval lasted 10 seconds. In the HIIT 1:1 condition, each work interval was followed by 10 seconds of passive recovery, whereas in the HIIT 1:2 condition, each work interval was followed by 20 seconds of passive recovery. Thus, intensity, active work duration, number of repetitions, and prescribed running distance were matched, while passive recovery duration and total elapsed session duration differed between sessions.
Biochemical, perceptual, and neuromuscular assessments were performed before exercise, immediately after exercise, and at 6, 24, 48, and 72 hours after each HIIT session. Blood sampling included targeted measurement of 41 amino acids and amino acid-related compounds using liquid chromatography-tandem mass spectrometry, together with serum creatine kinase, lactate dehydrogenase, alanine aminotransferase, aspartate aminotransferase, C-reactive protein, creatine kinase-MB, and heart-type fatty acid-binding protein.
Perceived muscle soreness was assessed using a 0-10 visual analogue scale, and lower-body neuromuscular performance was evaluated using countermovement jump measures, including jump height, power, mean velocity, and flight time.
Twenty trained male football players volunteered for the study; two did not complete the experimental procedures, and 18 participants completed both sessions and were included in the analyses. Eligible participants had at least four years of systematic football training experience, regularly trained at least three times per week, and had no recent musculoskeletal injury or known cardiovascular, metabolic, or neurological disorder.
The study was designed to characterize acute responses and 72-hour recovery kinetics across the two exercise sessions.
- Conditions
- Exercise Recovery Following High-Intensity Interval Training, High-Intensity Interval Training in Football Players
- Being tested
- HIIT 1:1, HIIT 1:2
- Keywords
- High-Intensity Interval Training, Football, Recovery Kinetics, Perceived Muscle Soreness, Work-to-Rest Ratio, Exercise Recovery
What participants receive
What participants receive. In a randomised study each person is assigned to one group by chance.
HIIT 1:1Behavioural
High-intensity interval running performed at 95% of each participant's individual VIFT. The protocol consisted of 2 sets of 30 repetitions, for a total of 60 running bouts. Each work interval lasted 10 seconds and was followed by 10 seconds of passive recovery. Total active running time was 10 minutes. Inter-set recovery was individualized and the second set began when heart rate decreased to approximately 60% of the peak heart rate recorded after the 30-15 Intermittent Fitness Test.
HIIT 1:2Behavioural
High-intensity interval running performed at 95% of each participant's individual VIFT. The protocol consisted of 2 sets of 30 repetitions, for a total of 60 running bouts. Each work interval lasted 10 seconds and was followed by 20 seconds of passive recovery. Total active running time was 10 minutes. Inter-set recovery was individualized and the second set began when heart rate decreased to approximately 60% of the peak heart rate recorded after the 30-15 Intermittent Fitness Test.
| Study group | Role | What they receive |
|---|---|---|
| Fixed-Sequence HIIT Group | Experimental | All participants completed two high-intensity interval training sessions in a fixed sequence. HIIT 1:1 was performed first, followed seven days later by HIIT 1:2. Both sessions were performed at 95% of individual VIFT and consisted of 2 sets of 30 repetitions of 10-second running bouts. Passive recovery between bouts was 10 seconds in HIIT 1:1 and 20 seconds in HIIT 1:2. Receives: Behavioral: HIIT 1:1; Behavioral: HIIT 1:2 |
What is being measured
The primary outcome is the main question the study is designed to answer.
Perceived Lower-Extremity Muscle Soreness Score
Perceived lower-extremity muscle soreness was assessed using a 0-10 visual analogue scale (VAS), where 0 indicated no soreness and 10 indicated extreme soreness. The unit of measure was the VAS score (0-10). Assessments were performed at each specified time point following both HIIT sessions. This outcome is designated as the primary outcome for registry purposes in this retrospective registration; no single primary outcome was pre-specified in the original study protocol.
Measured: Pre-exercise, immediately post-exercise, and 6, 24, 48, and 72 hours after each HIIT session
Secondary outcomes (48)
Serum Creatine Kinase Concentration
Serum creatine kinase (CK) concentration was measured as an indirect circulating marker associated with exercise-induced muscle damage. The unit of measure was U/L.
Measured: Pre-exercise, immediately post-exercise, and 6, 24, 48, and 72 hours after each HIIT session
Serum Lactate Dehydrogenase Concentration
Serum lactate dehydrogenase (LDH) concentration was measured as an indirect circulating marker associated with exercise-related tissue and muscle stress. The unit of measure was U/L.
Measured: Pre-exercise, immediately post-exercise, and 6, 24, 48, and 72 hours after each HIIT session
Serum Alanine Aminotransferase Concentration
Serum alanine aminotransferase (ALT) concentration was measured as a non-specific circulating aminotransferase associated with exercise-related tissue stress. The unit of measure was U/L.
Measured: Pre-exercise, immediately post-exercise, and 6, 24, 48, and 72 hours after each HIIT session
Serum Aspartate Aminotransferase Concentration
Serum aspartate aminotransferase (AST) concentration was measured as a non-specific circulating aminotransferase associated with exercise-related tissue stress. The unit of measure was U/L.
Measured: Pre-exercise, immediately post-exercise, and 6, 24, 48, and 72 hours after each HIIT session
Serum C-Reactive Protein Concentration
Serum C-reactive protein (CRP) concentration was measured as an inflammatory biomarker. The unit of measure was mg/L.
Measured: Pre-exercise, immediately post-exercise, and 6, 24, 48, and 72 hours after each HIIT session
Serum Creatine Kinase-MB Concentration
Serum creatine kinase-MB (CK-MB) concentration was measured as an exploratory, non-specific index of exercise-related tissue stress. The unit of measure was ng/mL.
Measured: Pre-exercise, immediately post-exercise, and 6, 24, 48, and 72 hours after each HIIT session
Serum Heart-Type Fatty Acid-Binding Protein Concentration
Serum heart-type fatty acid-binding protein (H-FABP) concentration was measured as an exploratory, non-specific index of exercise-related tissue stress. The unit of measure was ng/mL.
Measured: Pre-exercise, immediately post-exercise, and 6, 24, 48, and 72 hours after each HIIT session
Countermovement Jump Height
Countermovement jump (CMJ) height was assessed as an indicator of lower-body neuromuscular performance and recovery. The unit of measure was cm.
Measured: Pre-exercise, immediately post-exercise, and 6, 24, 48, and 72 hours after each HIIT session
Countermovement Jump Power
Countermovement jump (CMJ) power was assessed as an indicator of lower-body neuromuscular performance and recovery. The unit of measure was kW.
Measured: Pre-exercise, immediately post-exercise, and 6, 24, 48, and 72 hours after each HIIT session
Countermovement Jump Mean Velocity
Countermovement jump (CMJ) mean velocity was assessed as an indicator of lower-body neuromuscular performance and recovery. The unit of measure was m/s.
Measured: Pre-exercise, immediately post-exercise, and 6, 24, 48, and 72 hours after each HIIT session
Countermovement Jump Flight Time
Countermovement jump (CMJ) flight time was assessed as an indicator of lower-body neuromuscular performance and recovery. The unit of measure was ms.
Measured: Pre-exercise, immediately post-exercise, and 6, 24, 48, and 72 hours after each HIIT session
Whole-Blood Valine Concentration
Whole-blood valine concentration was quantified using targeted liquid chromatography-tandem mass spectrometry (LC-MS/MS) from capillary blood collected by volumetric absorptive microsampling (VAMS). The unit of measure was µmol/L.
Measured: Pre-exercise, immediately post-exercise, and 6, 24, 48, and 72 hours after each HIIT session
Whole-Blood Phenylalanine Concentration
Whole-blood phenylalanine concentration was quantified using targeted LC-MS/MS from capillary blood collected by VAMS. The unit of measure was µmol/L.
Measured: Pre-exercise, immediately post-exercise, and 6, 24, 48, and 72 hours after each HIIT session
Whole-Blood Tyrosine Concentration
Whole-blood tyrosine concentration was quantified using targeted LC-MS/MS from capillary blood collected by VAMS. The unit of measure was µmol/L.
Measured: Pre-exercise, immediately post-exercise, and 6, 24, 48, and 72 hours after each HIIT session
Whole-Blood Tryptophan Concentration
Whole-blood tryptophan concentration was quantified using targeted LC-MS/MS from capillary blood collected by VAMS. The unit of measure was µmol/L.
Measured: Pre-exercise, immediately post-exercise, and 6, 24, 48, and 72 hours after each HIIT session
Whole-Blood Alanine Concentration
Whole-blood alanine concentration was quantified using targeted LC-MS/MS from capillary blood collected by VAMS. The unit of measure was µmol/L.
Measured: Pre-exercise, immediately post-exercise, and 6, 24, 48, and 72 hours after each HIIT session
Whole-Blood Beta-Alanine Concentration
Whole-blood beta-alanine concentration was quantified using targeted LC-MS/MS from capillary blood collected by VAMS. The unit of measure was µmol/L.
Measured: Pre-exercise, immediately post-exercise, and 6, 24, 48, and 72 hours after each HIIT session
Whole-Blood 2-Aminobutyric Acid Concentration
Whole-blood 2-aminobutyric acid concentration was quantified using targeted LC-MS/MS from capillary blood collected by VAMS. The unit of measure was µmol/L.
Measured: Pre-exercise, immediately post-exercise, and 6, 24, 48, and 72 hours after each HIIT session
Whole-Blood Gamma-Aminobutyric Acid Concentration
Whole-blood gamma-aminobutyric acid (GABA) concentration was quantified using targeted LC-MS/MS from capillary blood collected by VAMS. The unit of measure was µmol/L.
Measured: Pre-exercise, immediately post-exercise, and 6, 24, 48, and 72 hours after each HIIT session
Whole-Blood Anserine Concentration
Whole-blood anserine concentration was quantified using targeted LC-MS/MS from capillary blood collected by VAMS. The unit of measure was µmol/L.
Measured: Pre-exercise, immediately post-exercise, and 6, 24, 48, and 72 hours after each HIIT session
Whole-Blood Arginine Concentration
Whole-blood arginine concentration was quantified using targeted LC-MS/MS from capillary blood collected by VAMS. The unit of measure was µmol/L.
Measured: Pre-exercise, immediately post-exercise, and 6, 24, 48, and 72 hours after each HIIT session
Whole-Blood Asparagine Concentration
Whole-blood asparagine concentration was quantified using targeted LC-MS/MS from capillary blood collected by VAMS. The unit of measure was µmol/L.
Measured: Pre-exercise, immediately post-exercise, and 6, 24, 48, and 72 hours after each HIIT session
Whole-Blood Aspartic Acid Concentration
Whole-blood aspartic acid concentration was quantified using targeted LC-MS/MS from capillary blood collected by VAMS. The unit of measure was µmol/L.
Measured: Pre-exercise, immediately post-exercise, and 6, 24, 48, and 72 hours after each HIIT session
Whole-Blood Carnosine Concentration
Whole-blood carnosine concentration was quantified using targeted LC-MS/MS from capillary blood collected by VAMS. The unit of measure was µmol/L.
Measured: Pre-exercise, immediately post-exercise, and 6, 24, 48, and 72 hours after each HIIT session
Whole-Blood Citrulline Concentration
Whole-blood citrulline concentration was quantified using targeted LC-MS/MS from capillary blood collected by VAMS. The unit of measure was µmol/L.
Measured: Pre-exercise, immediately post-exercise, and 6, 24, 48, and 72 hours after each HIIT session
Whole-Blood Cystathionine Concentration
Whole-blood cystathionine concentration was quantified using targeted LC-MS/MS from capillary blood collected by VAMS. The unit of measure was µmol/L.
Measured: Pre-exercise, immediately post-exercise, and 6, 24, 48, and 72 hours after each HIIT session
Whole-Blood Ethanolamine Concentration
Whole-blood ethanolamine concentration was quantified using targeted LC-MS/MS from capillary blood collected by VAMS. The unit of measure was µmol/L.
Measured: Pre-exercise, immediately post-exercise, and 6, 24, 48, and 72 hours after each HIIT session
Whole-Blood Glutamic Acid Concentration
Whole-blood glutamic acid concentration was quantified using targeted LC-MS/MS from capillary blood collected by VAMS. The unit of measure was µmol/L.
Measured: Pre-exercise, immediately post-exercise, and 6, 24, 48, and 72 hours after each HIIT session
Whole-Blood Glutamine Concentration
Whole-blood glutamine concentration was quantified using targeted LC-MS/MS from capillary blood collected by VAMS. The unit of measure was µmol/L.
Measured: Pre-exercise, immediately post-exercise, and 6, 24, 48, and 72 hours after each HIIT session
Whole-Blood Glycine Concentration
Whole-blood glycine concentration was quantified using targeted LC-MS/MS from capillary blood collected by VAMS. The unit of measure was µmol/L.
Measured: Pre-exercise, immediately post-exercise, and 6, 24, 48, and 72 hours after each HIIT session
Whole-Blood Histidine Concentration
Whole-blood histidine concentration was quantified using targeted LC-MS/MS from capillary blood collected by VAMS. The unit of measure was µmol/L.
Measured: Pre-exercise, immediately post-exercise, and 6, 24, 48, and 72 hours after each HIIT session
Whole-Blood Homocitrulline Concentration
Whole-blood homocitrulline concentration was quantified using targeted LC-MS/MS from capillary blood collected by VAMS. The unit of measure was µmol/L.
Measured: Pre-exercise, immediately post-exercise, and 6, 24, 48, and 72 hours after each HIIT session
Whole-Blood Homocystine Concentration
Whole-blood homocystine concentration was quantified using targeted LC-MS/MS from capillary blood collected by VAMS. The unit of measure was µmol/L.
Measured: Pre-exercise, immediately post-exercise, and 6, 24, 48, and 72 hours after each HIIT session
Whole-Blood 5-Hydroxylysine Concentration
Whole-blood 5-hydroxylysine concentration was quantified using targeted LC-MS/MS from capillary blood collected by VAMS. The unit of measure was µmol/L.
Measured: Pre-exercise, immediately post-exercise, and 6, 24, 48, and 72 hours after each HIIT session
Whole-Blood trans-4-Hydroxyproline Concentration
Whole-blood trans-4-hydroxyproline concentration was quantified using targeted LC-MS/MS from capillary blood collected by VAMS. The unit of measure was µmol/L.
Measured: Pre-exercise, immediately post-exercise, and 6, 24, 48, and 72 hours after each HIIT session
Whole-Blood Isoleucine Concentration
Whole-blood isoleucine concentration was quantified using targeted LC-MS/MS from capillary blood collected by VAMS. The unit of measure was µmol/L.
Measured: Pre-exercise, immediately post-exercise, and 6, 24, 48, and 72 hours after each HIIT session
Whole-Blood Leucine Concentration
Whole-blood leucine concentration was quantified using targeted LC-MS/MS from capillary blood collected by VAMS. The unit of measure was µmol/L.
Measured: Pre-exercise, immediately post-exercise, and 6, 24, 48, and 72 hours after each HIIT session
Whole-Blood Lysine Concentration
Whole-blood lysine concentration was quantified using targeted LC-MS/MS from capillary blood collected by VAMS. The unit of measure was µmol/L.
Measured: Pre-exercise, immediately post-exercise, and 6, 24, 48, and 72 hours after each HIIT session
Whole-Blood Methionine Concentration
Whole-blood methionine concentration was quantified using targeted LC-MS/MS from capillary blood collected by VAMS. The unit of measure was µmol/L.
Measured: Pre-exercise, immediately post-exercise, and 6, 24, 48, and 72 hours after each HIIT session
Whole-Blood 1-Methylhistidine Concentration
Whole-blood 1-methylhistidine concentration was quantified using targeted LC-MS/MS from capillary blood collected by VAMS. The unit of measure was µmol/L.
Measured: Pre-exercise, immediately post-exercise, and 6, 24, 48, and 72 hours after each HIIT session
Whole-Blood 3-Methylhistidine Concentration
Whole-blood 3-methylhistidine concentration was quantified using targeted LC-MS/MS from capillary blood collected by VAMS. The unit of measure was µmol/L.
Measured: Pre-exercise, immediately post-exercise, and 6, 24, 48, and 72 hours after each HIIT session
Whole-Blood Ornithine Concentration
Whole-blood ornithine concentration was quantified using targeted LC-MS/MS from capillary blood collected by VAMS. The unit of measure was µmol/L.
Measured: Pre-exercise, immediately post-exercise, and 6, 24, 48, and 72 hours after each HIIT session
Whole-Blood O-Phosphoethanolamine Concentration
Whole-blood O-phosphoethanolamine concentration was quantified using targeted LC-MS/MS from capillary blood collected by VAMS. The unit of measure was µmol/L.
Measured: Pre-exercise, immediately post-exercise, and 6, 24, 48, and 72 hours after each HIIT session
Whole-Blood O-Phosphoserine Concentration
Whole-blood O-phosphoserine concentration was quantified using targeted LC-MS/MS from capillary blood collected by VAMS. The unit of measure was µmol/L.
Measured: Pre-exercise, immediately post-exercise, and 6, 24, 48, and 72 hours after each HIIT session
Whole-Blood Proline Concentration
Whole-blood proline concentration was quantified using targeted LC-MS/MS from capillary blood collected by VAMS. The unit of measure was µmol/L.
Measured: Pre-exercise, immediately post-exercise, and 6, 24, 48, and 72 hours after each HIIT session
Whole-Blood Serine Concentration
Whole-blood serine concentration was quantified using targeted LC-MS/MS from capillary blood collected by VAMS. The unit of measure was µmol/L.
Measured: Pre-exercise, immediately post-exercise, and 6, 24, 48, and 72 hours after each HIIT session
Whole-Blood Taurine Concentration
Whole-blood taurine concentration was quantified using targeted LC-MS/MS from capillary blood collected by VAMS. The unit of measure was µmol/L.
Measured: Pre-exercise, immediately post-exercise, and 6, 24, 48, and 72 hours after each HIIT session
Whole-Blood Threonine Concentration
Whole-blood threonine concentration was quantified using targeted LC-MS/MS from capillary blood collected by VAMS. The unit of measure was µmol/L.
Measured: Pre-exercise, immediately post-exercise, and 6, 24, 48, and 72 hours after each HIIT session
Timeline
From the start of the study to its completion; the mark is today. Estimated dates are the sponsor’s plan.
- First posted27 Oct 2026
- Study start1 May 2024
- Primary completion1 Jun 2024
- Study completion1 Jun 2024
Resources
- Official record on ClinicalTrials.govThe registry entry this page is built from, with its full change history.
- Other trials for Exercise Recovery Following High-Intensity Interval TrainingStudies of the same condition, open and under way.
- More trials run by Ondokuz Mayıs UniversityThe sponsor's other registered studies.
- What the trial phases meanHow a treatment moves from first tests in people to approval.
More details
For doctors and researchers: how the study is designed, who runs it, and its registry IDs.
Study design
- Study type
- Interventional
- Phase
- Phase N/A
- Primary purpose
- Basic science
- Allocation
- Not applicable
- Intervention model
- Single group
- Model description
- All participants completed two HIIT conditions in a fixed sequence. HIIT 1:1 was performed first, followed seven days later by HIIT 1:2. The sequence was neither randomized nor counterbalanced. Both conditions were completed by the same participants, allowing within-subject comparison of biochemical, amino-acid, perceptual, and neuromuscular recovery responses over 72 hours.
- Masking
- None (open label)
- Enrolment
- 20 participants (actual)
Sponsor and investigators
- Lead sponsor
- Ondokuz Mayıs University
- Sponsor type
- University, hospital or other
- Responsible party
- Principal investigator, Prof. Dr. Murat Eliöz, Ondokuz Mayıs University
IDs, dates and publications
- ClinicalTrials.gov ID
- NCT07898046
- Sponsor's protocol ID
- BAP04-B-2024-4790
- Other IDs
- BAP04-B-2024-4790
- Acronym
- HIIT-AA
- Status last verified
- Oct 2026
- First submitted
- 13 Oct 2026
- Last updated
- 27 Oct 2026
- Results posted
- No
- Data monitoring committee
- No
- FDA-regulated drug
- No
- FDA-regulated device
- No
- Individual data sharing
- Yes: Anonymized individual participant data supporting the findings of this study are publicly available in Zenodo.
Study at a glance
From the registry record, last updated by the sponsor on 27 Oct 2026. Recruitment status is as the sponsor reported it: confirm with the study team.
- Official title
- Amino-Acid and Recovery Responses Across Two Fixed-Sequence HIIT Sessions in Trained Male Football Players
- ClinicalTrials.gov ID
- NCT07898046
- Acronym / sponsor ID
- HIIT-AA / BAP04-B-2024-4790
- Conditions
- Exercise Recovery Following High-Intensity Interval Training, High-Intensity Interval Training in Football Players
- Keywords
- High-Intensity Interval Training, Football, Recovery Kinetics, Perceived Muscle Soreness, Work-to-Rest Ratio, Exercise Recovery
- Study type
- Interventional
- Recruitment status
- Completed
- Enrolment
- 20 participants (actual)
- Lead sponsor
- Ondokuz Mayıs UniversityUniversity, hospital or other
- Study start
- 1 May 2024 (actual)
- Primary completion
- 1 Jun 2024 (actual)
- Study completion
- 1 Jun 2024 (actual)
- First posted
- 27 Oct 2026 (actual)
- Results
- Not posted in the source record
Clinical summary
The research question as the sponsor registered it. This describes what the study plans to test, not what it found.
This study evaluated how trained young male football players responded to two high-intensity interval training (HIIT) sessions that differed in the length of the passive recovery period between repeated running bouts. Participants completed both exercise conditions in a fixed order. The first session used 10 seconds of high-intensity running followed by 10 seconds of passive recovery (HIIT 1:1). Seven days later, the same participants completed a second session using 10 seconds of high-intensity running followed by 20 seconds of passive recovery (HIIT 1:2).
Both exercise sessions were matched for exercise intensity, active work duration, number of repetitions, and prescribed running distance. Participants were assessed before exercise, immediately after exercise, and at 6, 24, 48, and 72 hours after each session.
The study examined biochemical responses, perceived muscle soreness, countermovement jump performance, and changes in circulating amino acids and amino acid-related compounds. The purpose was to describe and compare recovery responses across the two fixed-sequence HIIT sessions. Because all participants completed HIIT 1:1 first and HIIT 1:2 second, the study was not randomized or counterbalanced, and any differences between sessions may also reflect session-order effects.
Detailed description
This was an exploratory, single-group, fixed-sequence within-subject study conducted in trained young male amateur and semi-professional football players. All participants completed two high-intensity interval training (HIIT) sessions separated by seven days. The order was fixed: HIIT 1:1 was performed first, followed by HIIT 1:2 one week later. The sequence was neither randomized nor counterbalanced.
Before the experimental sessions, participants completed the 30-15 Intermittent Fitness Test to determine individual maximal intermittent running velocity (VIFT). Exercise intensity during both HIIT sessions was prescribed at 95% of each participant's VIFT. Each protocol consisted of two sets of 30 running repetitions, giving 60 work bouts and a total active running duration of 10 minutes per session. Each work interval lasted 10 seconds. In the HIIT 1:1 condition, each work interval was followed by 10 seconds of passive recovery, whereas in the HIIT 1:2 condition, each work interval was followed by 20 seconds of passive recovery. Thus, intensity, active work duration, number of repetitions, and prescribed running distance were matched, while passive recovery duration and total elapsed session duration differed between sessions.
Biochemical, perceptual, and neuromuscular assessments were performed before exercise, immediately after exercise, and at 6, 24, 48, and 72 hours after each HIIT session. Blood sampling included targeted measurement of 41 amino acids and amino acid-related compounds using liquid chromatography-tandem mass spectrometry, together with serum creatine kinase, lactate dehydrogenase, alanine aminotransferase, aspartate aminotransferase, C-reactive protein, creatine kinase-MB, and heart-type fatty acid-binding protein.
Perceived muscle soreness was assessed using a 0-10 visual analogue scale, and lower-body neuromuscular performance was evaluated using countermovement jump measures, including jump height, power, mean velocity, and flight time.
Twenty trained male football players volunteered for the study; two did not complete the experimental procedures, and 18 participants completed both sessions and were included in the analyses. Eligible participants had at least four years of systematic football training experience, regularly trained at least three times per week, and had no recent musculoskeletal injury or known cardiovascular, metabolic, or neurological disorder.
The study was designed to characterize acute responses and 72-hour recovery kinetics across the two exercise sessions.
Study design
- Primary purpose
- Basic science
- Allocation
- Not applicable
- Intervention model
- Single group
- Masking
- None (open label)
- Number of arms
- 1
- Model description
- All participants completed two HIIT conditions in a fixed sequence. HIIT 1:1 was performed first, followed seven days later by HIIT 1:2. The sequence was neither randomized nor counterbalanced. Both conditions were completed by the same participants, allowing within-subject comparison of biochemical, amino-acid, perceptual, and neuromuscular recovery responses over 72 hours.
| Arm | Type | Receives |
|---|---|---|
| Fixed-Sequence HIIT Group | Experimental | Behavioral: HIIT 1:1, Behavioral: HIIT 1:2All participants completed two high-intensity interval training sessions in a fixed sequence. HIIT 1:1 was performed first, followed seven days later by HIIT 1:2. Both sessions were performed at 95% of individual VIFT and consisted of 2 sets of 30 repetitions of 10-second running bouts. Passive recovery between bouts was 10 seconds in HIIT 1:1 and 20 seconds in HIIT 1:2. |
Who may qualify
- Ages
- 18 to 32 years
- Sex
- Male only
- Healthy volunteers
- Accepted
- Age groups
- Adult
Key inclusion criteria (6 listed)
- Male amateur or semi-professional football player.
- Minimum of four years of systematic football training experience.
- Regular participation in football training at least three times per week.
- Free from musculoskeletal injury during the previous six months.
- No history of cardiovascular, metabolic, or neurological disorders.
Key exclusion criteria (4 listed)
- Use of nutritional supplements during the study period.
- Use of performance-enhancing substances.
- Use of medications that could influence metabolic or physiological responses.
- Inability to complete the experimental procedures or both HIIT sessions.
Eligibility is decided by the study team after screening; this overview does not establish that a patient qualifies. Full inclusion and exclusion criteria.
Interventions
| Intervention | Type | Arms |
|---|---|---|
| HIIT 1:1High-intensity interval running performed at 95% of each participant's individual VIFT. The protocol consisted of 2 sets of 30 repetitions, for a total of 60 running bouts. Each work interval lasted 10 seconds and was followed by 10 seconds of passive recovery. Total active running time was 10 minutes. Inter-set recovery was individualized and the second set began when heart rate decreased to approximately 60% of the peak heart rate recorded after the 30-15 Intermittent Fitness Test. | Behavioural | Fixed-Sequence HIIT Group |
| HIIT 1:2High-intensity interval running performed at 95% of each participant's individual VIFT. The protocol consisted of 2 sets of 30 repetitions, for a total of 60 running bouts. Each work interval lasted 10 seconds and was followed by 20 seconds of passive recovery. Total active running time was 10 minutes. Inter-set recovery was individualized and the second set began when heart rate decreased to approximately 60% of the peak heart rate recorded after the 30-15 Intermittent Fitness Test. | Behavioural | Fixed-Sequence HIIT Group |
Primary outcome
Perceived Lower-Extremity Muscle Soreness Score
Time frame: Pre-exercise, immediately post-exercise, and 6, 24, 48, and 72 hours after each HIIT session
Perceived lower-extremity muscle soreness was assessed using a 0-10 visual analogue scale (VAS), where 0 indicated no soreness and 10 indicated extreme soreness. The unit of measure was the VAS score (0-10). Assessments were performed at each specified time point following both HIIT sessions. This outcome is designated as the primary outcome for registry purposes in this retrospective registration; no single primary outcome was pre-specified in the original study protocol.
48 secondary outcomes
Serum Creatine Kinase Concentration
Time frame: Pre-exercise, immediately post-exercise, and 6, 24, 48, and 72 hours after each HIIT session
Serum Lactate Dehydrogenase Concentration
Time frame: Pre-exercise, immediately post-exercise, and 6, 24, 48, and 72 hours after each HIIT session
Serum Alanine Aminotransferase Concentration
Time frame: Pre-exercise, immediately post-exercise, and 6, 24, 48, and 72 hours after each HIIT session
Serum Aspartate Aminotransferase Concentration
Time frame: Pre-exercise, immediately post-exercise, and 6, 24, 48, and 72 hours after each HIIT session
Serum C-Reactive Protein Concentration
Time frame: Pre-exercise, immediately post-exercise, and 6, 24, 48, and 72 hours after each HIIT session
Serum Creatine Kinase-MB Concentration
Time frame: Pre-exercise, immediately post-exercise, and 6, 24, 48, and 72 hours after each HIIT session
Serum Heart-Type Fatty Acid-Binding Protein Concentration
Time frame: Pre-exercise, immediately post-exercise, and 6, 24, 48, and 72 hours after each HIIT session
Countermovement Jump Height
Time frame: Pre-exercise, immediately post-exercise, and 6, 24, 48, and 72 hours after each HIIT session
Countermovement Jump Power
Time frame: Pre-exercise, immediately post-exercise, and 6, 24, 48, and 72 hours after each HIIT session
Countermovement Jump Mean Velocity
Time frame: Pre-exercise, immediately post-exercise, and 6, 24, 48, and 72 hours after each HIIT session
Countermovement Jump Flight Time
Time frame: Pre-exercise, immediately post-exercise, and 6, 24, 48, and 72 hours after each HIIT session
Whole-Blood Valine Concentration
Time frame: Pre-exercise, immediately post-exercise, and 6, 24, 48, and 72 hours after each HIIT session
Whole-Blood Phenylalanine Concentration
Time frame: Pre-exercise, immediately post-exercise, and 6, 24, 48, and 72 hours after each HIIT session
Whole-Blood Tyrosine Concentration
Time frame: Pre-exercise, immediately post-exercise, and 6, 24, 48, and 72 hours after each HIIT session
Whole-Blood Tryptophan Concentration
Time frame: Pre-exercise, immediately post-exercise, and 6, 24, 48, and 72 hours after each HIIT session
Whole-Blood Alanine Concentration
Time frame: Pre-exercise, immediately post-exercise, and 6, 24, 48, and 72 hours after each HIIT session
Whole-Blood Beta-Alanine Concentration
Time frame: Pre-exercise, immediately post-exercise, and 6, 24, 48, and 72 hours after each HIIT session
Whole-Blood 2-Aminobutyric Acid Concentration
Time frame: Pre-exercise, immediately post-exercise, and 6, 24, 48, and 72 hours after each HIIT session
Whole-Blood Gamma-Aminobutyric Acid Concentration
Time frame: Pre-exercise, immediately post-exercise, and 6, 24, 48, and 72 hours after each HIIT session
Whole-Blood Anserine Concentration
Time frame: Pre-exercise, immediately post-exercise, and 6, 24, 48, and 72 hours after each HIIT session
Whole-Blood Arginine Concentration
Time frame: Pre-exercise, immediately post-exercise, and 6, 24, 48, and 72 hours after each HIIT session
Whole-Blood Asparagine Concentration
Time frame: Pre-exercise, immediately post-exercise, and 6, 24, 48, and 72 hours after each HIIT session
Whole-Blood Aspartic Acid Concentration
Time frame: Pre-exercise, immediately post-exercise, and 6, 24, 48, and 72 hours after each HIIT session
Whole-Blood Carnosine Concentration
Time frame: Pre-exercise, immediately post-exercise, and 6, 24, 48, and 72 hours after each HIIT session
Whole-Blood Citrulline Concentration
Time frame: Pre-exercise, immediately post-exercise, and 6, 24, 48, and 72 hours after each HIIT session
Whole-Blood Cystathionine Concentration
Time frame: Pre-exercise, immediately post-exercise, and 6, 24, 48, and 72 hours after each HIIT session
Whole-Blood Ethanolamine Concentration
Time frame: Pre-exercise, immediately post-exercise, and 6, 24, 48, and 72 hours after each HIIT session
Whole-Blood Glutamic Acid Concentration
Time frame: Pre-exercise, immediately post-exercise, and 6, 24, 48, and 72 hours after each HIIT session
Whole-Blood Glutamine Concentration
Time frame: Pre-exercise, immediately post-exercise, and 6, 24, 48, and 72 hours after each HIIT session
Whole-Blood Glycine Concentration
Time frame: Pre-exercise, immediately post-exercise, and 6, 24, 48, and 72 hours after each HIIT session
Whole-Blood Histidine Concentration
Time frame: Pre-exercise, immediately post-exercise, and 6, 24, 48, and 72 hours after each HIIT session
Whole-Blood Homocitrulline Concentration
Time frame: Pre-exercise, immediately post-exercise, and 6, 24, 48, and 72 hours after each HIIT session
Whole-Blood Homocystine Concentration
Time frame: Pre-exercise, immediately post-exercise, and 6, 24, 48, and 72 hours after each HIIT session
Whole-Blood 5-Hydroxylysine Concentration
Time frame: Pre-exercise, immediately post-exercise, and 6, 24, 48, and 72 hours after each HIIT session
Whole-Blood trans-4-Hydroxyproline Concentration
Time frame: Pre-exercise, immediately post-exercise, and 6, 24, 48, and 72 hours after each HIIT session
Whole-Blood Isoleucine Concentration
Time frame: Pre-exercise, immediately post-exercise, and 6, 24, 48, and 72 hours after each HIIT session
Whole-Blood Leucine Concentration
Time frame: Pre-exercise, immediately post-exercise, and 6, 24, 48, and 72 hours after each HIIT session
Whole-Blood Lysine Concentration
Time frame: Pre-exercise, immediately post-exercise, and 6, 24, 48, and 72 hours after each HIIT session
Whole-Blood Methionine Concentration
Time frame: Pre-exercise, immediately post-exercise, and 6, 24, 48, and 72 hours after each HIIT session
Whole-Blood 1-Methylhistidine Concentration
Time frame: Pre-exercise, immediately post-exercise, and 6, 24, 48, and 72 hours after each HIIT session
Results and safety
The study is completed, but results are not available in the source record. That does not mean the treatment did or did not work.
Research links
- Official record on ClinicalTrials.govLast updated by the sponsor 27 Oct 2026.
- Anonymized individual participant data supporting the findings of this study.Link provided by the sponsor.
- Individual participant dataSharing planned: Yes. Anonymized individual participant data supporting the findings of this study are publicly available in Zenodo.
Referral and contact
AzTrials does not enrol participants or take referrals. Contact the study team or a site listed below; they decide who can take part. This study is not recruiting at the moment.
The record lists no contact. Use the official record to reach the sponsor.
1 site in 1 country: see every site and its status.
Questions about this trial
What is this clinical trial studying?
A study testing HIIT 1:1 and HIIT 1:2 in people with Exercise Recovery Following High-Intensity Interval Training and High-Intensity Interval Training in Football Players, run by Ondokuz Mayıs University at 1 site in Turkey (Türkiye).
The full registered description is in the About this study section and the official record.
Who may be eligible to take part?
The sponsor lists 6 inclusion and 4 exclusion criteria. Eligibility is decided by the study team after screening, so read the full criteria and contact a listed site.
Is this clinical trial currently recruiting?
The record says: finished, as of the sponsor's last update on 27 Oct 2026. Status can change between updates, so confirm with the study contact before making plans.
Where is the study taking place?
The record lists 1 site in Turkey (Türkiye). Whether a site is taking part right now should be confirmed with that site. See every site.
What are the possible benefits and risks?
They depend on the study and the treatment, and no study can promise a benefit. The study team explains the known risks during informed consent, before anyone joins; the record itself does not list them.
Are results available for this study?
The study is completed, but results are not available in the source record. That does not mean the treatment did or did not work.
How can a doctor refer a patient or contact the research team?
The record lists no contact. The official record names the sponsor, who can be asked directly. AzTrials does not enrol participants or take referrals.
What does the primary outcome measure?
Perceived Lower-Extremity Muscle Soreness Score (time frame: Pre-exercise, immediately post-exercise, and 6, 24, 48, and 72 hours after each HIIT session). It is what the study was designed to measure, not a finding.
Where can I read the original study information?
Does a listing mean the treatment is approved or proven to work?
No. A listing means the study is registered. It does not show that the treatment is safe, works, or is approved by a regulator.
How often is this information updated?
AzTrials copies changed records from ClinicalTrials.gov every night and reloads the whole registry every week. The sponsor last updated this record on 27 Oct 2026; AzTrials last refreshed its copy on 6 Nov 2026.