Analysis of Differences in The Design of Interval and Continuous Aerobic Training of Elite Team Handball Players

The purpose of this paper is to evaluate the efficiency of High-Intensity Continuous Training (HICT) of an aerobic training program on elite handball teams. The study included the participation of 16 handball players, members of first league teams of Iceland. The participants trained five times a week over the course of four weeks using the HICT. The intensity of the training work was programmed individually for each participant according to the amount of oxygen they consumed. A statistically significant (p<.001) improvement was obtained from all measurable indicators of aerobic capacity (maximal consumed oxygen, maximal relative consumption of oxygen, speed of running at which maximal amount of oxygen is consumed) when comparing the pre and post-tests, as well as a great positive effect (ES reaching from 1.17 to 1.28). Using the method of mathematical simulation, a comparison was made between the tested method of programming aerobic training and several influential High-Intensity Interval Training (HIIT) models. The results of the analyses demonstrate that HICT has numerous positive features compared to HIIT, which is why further research into its application in training practices is recommended.