{"status":"ok","message-type":"work","message-version":"1.0.0","message":{"indexed":{"date-parts":[[2026,9,10]],"date-time":"2026-09-10T02:31:28Z","timestamp":1789007488941,"version":"build-2803163510"},"reference-count":31,"publisher":"Journal of Sports Science and Medicine","license":[{"start":{"date-parts":[[2025,9,1]],"date-time":"2025-09-01T00:00:00Z","timestamp":1756684800000},"content-version":"am","delay-in-days":0,"URL":"https:\/\/creativecommons.org\/licenses\/by\/4.0\/"}],"content-domain":{"domain":[],"crossmark-restriction":false},"short-container-title":["jsportscimed"],"abstract":"<jats:p>The aim of this study was to assess the effects of a 6-week high-intensity interval training combined with small-sided games (HIIT&amp;SSG) program on maximal strength, sprint performance, and aerobic capacity in female athletes and to examine how these effects vary across different stages of maturity (pre-, mid-, and post-peak height velocity [PHV]). Specifically, we sought to determine whether the improvements in performance outcomes were consistent across maturity groups or if the training effects differed based on the athletes' maturity status. Fifty-four female soccer players (aged 9-16 years) were categorized into pre-PHV, mid-PHV, and post-PHV maturity groups. Participants were randomly assigned to either an HIIT&amp;SSG group (n = 27) or a control group (n = 27). The HIIT&amp;SSG group performed two additional training sessions per week, focusing on 2v2 small-sided games and individualized high-intensity runs at 85% of their final velocity during the 30-15 Intermittent Fitness Test (VIFT). Control continued their regular training routines. Pre- and post-intervention assessments included isometric mid-thigh pull (IMTP) for maximal strength, 30-meter sprint time, and VIFT for aerobic capacity. Pre- and post-intervention assessments included isometric mid-thigh pull (IMTP) for maximal strength, 30-meter sprint time, and VIFT for aerobic capacity. The HIIT&amp;SSG group demonstrated large effect sizes for IMTP (\u03b7p2 = 0.996), 30-m sprint time (\u03b7p2 = 0.991), and VIFT (\u03b7p2 = 0.878), with substantial improvements in strength and aerobic capacity in mid- and post-PHV athletes. For IMTP, significant group differences were observed in mid-PHV (p = 0.021) and post-PHV athletes (p &lt; 0.001). Post-PHV athletes also showed significantly faster 30-meter sprint times post-intervention (p &lt; 0.001). VIFT improvements were significant across all maturity stages (Pre-PHV: p = 0.045; Mid-PHV: p &lt; 0.001; Post-PHV: p &lt; 0.001). Effect sizes for group differences ranged from moderate to large (\u03b7p2 = 0.540 to \u03b7p2 = 0.928). HIIT&amp;SSG program is effective in enhancing maximal strength, sprint performance, and aerobic capacity, with particularly benefits for mid- and post-PHV athletes. However, the improvements in sprint performance were primarily observed in post-PHV athletes, which may limit the generalizability of these effects to all maturity stages.<\/jats:p>","DOI":"10.52082\/jssm.2025.634","type":"journal-article","created":{"date-parts":[[2025,7,22]],"date-time":"2025-07-22T08:51:58Z","timestamp":1753174318000},"page":"634-644","source":"Crossref","is-referenced-by-count":3,"title":["Can Maturation Level Influence Long-Term Physiological and Physical Adaptations in Youth Female Soccer Players Exposed to Combined Sided Games and HIIT? A Comparison Across Maturation Statuses"],"prefix":"10.52082","author":[{"given":"Ying","family":"Zhou","sequence":"first","affiliation":[],"role":[{"vocabulary":"crossref","role":"author"}]},{"given":"Jing","family":"Liu","sequence":"additional","affiliation":[],"role":[{"vocabulary":"crossref","role":"author"}]},{"given":"Liuxi","family":"Yang","sequence":"additional","affiliation":[],"role":[{"vocabulary":"crossref","role":"author"}]},{"given":"Bosong","family":"Zheng","sequence":"additional","affiliation":[],"role":[{"vocabulary":"crossref","role":"author"}]}],"member":"29163","published-online":{"date-parts":[[2025,9,1]]},"reference":[{"key":"ref0","doi-asserted-by":"publisher","unstructured":"Alvarez C., Ram\u00edrez-Campillo R., Ram\u00edrez-V\u00e9lez R., Izquierdo M. (2017) Effects of 6-Weeks High-Intensity Interval Training in Schoolchildren with Insulin Resistance: Influence of Biological Maturation on Metabolic, Body Composition, Cardiovascular and Performance Non-responses. Frontiers in Physiology , 8.  Crossref","DOI":"10.3389\/fphys.2017.00444"},{"key":"ref1","doi-asserted-by":"publisher","unstructured":"Journal of Sports Science and Medicine Arazi H., Keihaniyan A., EatemadyBoroujeni A., Oftade A., Takhsha S., Asadi A., Ram\u00edrez-Campillo R. (2017) Effects of Heart Rate vs. Speed-Based High Intensity Interval Training on Aerobic and Anaerobic Capacity of Female Soccer Players. Sports 5, 57.  Crossref","DOI":"10.3390\/sports5030057"},{"key":"ref2","doi-asserted-by":"publisher","unstructured":"Journal of Sports Science and Medicine Arslan E., Kilit B., Clemente F.M., Soylu Y., S\u00f6g\u00fct M., Badicu G., Akca F., Gokkaya M., Murawska-Cialowicz E. 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