Effects of Tabata training in the footballer body composition

Abstract

The aim of this study was to find out the relationship between High Intensity Interval Training (Tabata Method) associated with a Mediterranean diet and the corporal composition in a federated football team at provincial category. 14 volunteer footballers participated and were distributed into 3 groups: (C) control (n-5), (T) Tabata (n-5) and (TD) Tabata diet (n-4). The frequency of training was twice per week along 8 weeks with 4’ long sessions, through plyometric and calisthenic exercises. Different alimentary surveys were used and there were Pretest and postest measurements by bioelectric impedance. Significant changes were achieved in the decreasing of the body fat mass both in Tabata group (p = 0.05) and Tabata diet were it was even greater (p = 0.004); however 2 statistic trends appeared (p = 0.052) in Tabata and (p = 0.055) in Tabata diet, with a high association and a big effect size. There were increases in lean mass percentages (p = 0.05) in Tabata and (p = 0.004) in Tabata diet, as well as in body water and mineral mass in Tabata and Tabata diet. Nevertheless, in Tabata diet was reduced: Kg of body mass, BMI, level of visceral fat and Kg of protein mass. We can mention that 8 weeks of Tabata training cause modifications in body composition which could be used to adapt the planning of the sport training since the changes caused were significant.