The effect of tabata and traditional interval training models on motoric characteristics and perceived difficulty level in adolescent wrestlers

The purpose of this study is to examine the effects of Tabata and Classical high-intensity interval training (HIIT) models on motoric characteristics and perceived difficulty (RPE) in wrestlers. A total of 42 athletes between the ages of 14 and 17, who continued their training at Adana Wrestling Training Center and wrestled for at least 3 years, participated in the study voluntarily. Athletes were divided into Classical High Intensity Interval Training Group (CHIIT n=14), Tabata High Intensity Interval Training Group (THIIT n=14) and Control Group (KG n=14) with the stratified sample selection method. Athletes in the training group applied two different HITTs, two days a week, for 12 weeks, in addition to their routine ongoing training. Anaerobic power, maximal strength, aerobic capacity and rate of perceived exertion (RPE) measurements of the athletes were taken before and after the training program, and the obtained data were analyzed with the SPSS 26.0 program. Normal distribution of the data was tested with the Shapiro Wilk test. Since the data showed normal distribution, Paired Samples t Test was used to compare pre-post test measurements within groups, Independent Samples t Test was used to compare between groups, and One-Way Analysis of Variance was used to compare more than 2 groups. The findings of this study showed significant increases in VO2max, maximal strength, upper extremity anaerobic power, squat jump and counter movement jump performance in CHIIT and THIIT groups (p≤0.05), as well as significant increases in drop jump, reactive strength index and anaerobic power values of THIIT (p≤0.05). The average RPE values were also significantly higher in THIIT athletes compared to CHIIT (p≤0.05). Based on these findings, it can be said that HIITs have positive effects on aerobic and anaerobic performance and maximal strength in wrestlers, that the RPE of HIITs performed using the Tabata method is higher than Classical HIIT, and that HIITs can be applied with different protocols, taking into account the aspects that need to be developed in athletes.