Effects of high intensity interval training on trace minerals and physiological parameters in tennis players

Background and Study Aim This study investigated the effects of HIIT (high-intensity interval training) implementations on some serum elements, resting heart rate, total body weight, and BMI parameters in tennis players. Material and Methods The study group consisted of 20 athletes (aged 18-22) who were actively playing tennis. The athletes were divided into experimental (n=10) and control (n=10) group. To assign participants to these groups homogeneously, preliminary measurements were made before the study, and the results were used for clustering analysis. While the control group continued their regular tennis training, the experimental group was given additional HIIT three days a week besides regular tennis training. Measurements of BMI, resting heart rate, and body weight were taken, and serum samples were collected before and after training from both groups. The SPSS package program was used in data analysis. The level of significance was set at p<0.05 in the tests. Participants showed significant differences in sodium, calcium, iron, resting heart rate, weight, and BMI parameters between groups (p<0.05). Results However, no significant differences between the groups were found in potassium, chlorine, and magnesium parameters (p>0.05). The within-group measurements of sodium, calcium, resting heart rate, weight and BMI levels decreased in the experimental group in the post-test, while iron levels were higher in the post-test compared to the pre-test value (p<0.05). On the other hand, the pre-test and post-test values were similar within the control group, and there were no significant differences (p >0.05). Conclusions Training remodelled with HIIT implementation can affect athletes' element levels, BMI, total body weight, and resting heart rate. In addition, the increase in iron levels due to HIIT in the experimental group was important. We believe that this may affect both muscle contraction functions and the efficiency performance output. Lastly, due to the decrease of calcium and sodium elements with HIIT implementations, we suggest that HIIT applications should not be performed unsupervised. In addition, by tracking the element levels of athletes, they should be supported with supplements or nutritional meals in line with expert advice when necessary.