Objective: The present study compared the effects of two different small-sided game (SSG) training methods, interval (ISSG) and continuous (CSSG) on the bio-motor abilities of young soccer players. Methods: Sixteen young soccer players (age: 19.5 ± 0.5 years; height: 177 ± 4.72 cm) were ranked based on the result of a running-based anaerobic sprint test (RAST) and randomly divided into two groups: CSSG (n = 8) and ISSG (n = 8). The training protocols were performed for eight weeks, three sessions per week. Participants were assessed twice (pre- and post-intervention) to estimate their anaerobic capacity with the RAST, aerobic capacity with Yo-Yo intermittent recovery test, body fat percentage with a bioimpedance analysis, speed with a 30-meter run test, and agility with the Illinois agility test. During the training session, the rating of the perceived exertion (RPE) and heart rate (mean and maximum) were recorded to assess the training load. Results: In general, aerobic and anaerobic capacities improved after ISSG (p < 0.05, for all). The between-group analysis with repeated measures ANOVA revealed higher values for ISSG than CSSG groups post-intervention in anaerobic power (p = 0.042, ηp² = 0.264). In addition, the independent t-test results indicated that ISSG presented lower values of mean heart rate (p = 0.023, effect size [ES] = 0.85) and RPE (p < 0.05, ES = 0.88) than CSSG. Moreover, higher values for maximum heart rate were revealed for ISSG than for the CSSG group (p = 0.004, ES = 0.85). Conclusion: In conclusion, the findings of this study suggests that ISSG can lead to better improvements in anaerobic power and aerobic capacity than CSSG. Additionally, the ISSG led to a lower mean heart rate and RPE than the CSSG. Therefore, coaches and trainers may want to consider incorporating ISSG into their training programs for young soccer players to enhance their bio-motor abilities.

Mitochondrial dysfunction and increased oxidative stress cause damage to cells which can lead to the aging process and age‐related diseases. Antioxidants such as resveratrol and high‐intensity exercise can benefit oxidative damage prevention. This study is aimed at evaluating the effects of swimming high‐intensity interval training and resveratrol on mitochondrial metabolism key proteins, SIRT5, SOD1, and PDH‐E1α, and the level of NAD⁺ as a cofactor in the deacetylation process in aged rat hippocampus. Forty‐five male Wistar rats, aged 20 months, were randomly divided into five groups: control (C), Swimming High‐Intensity Interval Training (HIIT) (S‐HIIT), Swimming HIIT with resveratrol supplementation (S‐HIIT‐R), resveratrol supplementation (R), and solvent of resveratrol supplementation (SR). S‐HIIT and resveratrol groups performed the exercise and received resveratrol (10 mg/kg/day, gavage) for six weeks. Western blot analysis was performed to determine the protein level in the hippocampus. The amount of SIRT5 and SOD1 proteins in the hippocampus increased. S‐HIIT with resveratrol or resveratrol alone increased the PDH‐E1α level significantly. The amount of NAD⁺ was analyzed by assay kit that was reduced in S‐HIIT, S‐HIIT‐R, and SR groups compared to controls. The results showed that resveratrol and S‐HIIT attenuated the age‐related brain changes by increasing the expression of SOD1 and SIRT5 and reducing the level of NAD⁺ in the hippocampus. Considering these findings, S‐HIIT and resveratrol supplementation could be proposed as strategies to attenuate age‐related brain changes. Resveratrol alone and exercise through the regulation of crucial proteins and cofactors can influence mitochondrial metabolism and oxidative stress in the hippocampus of aged rats.

This study investigated the effect of 8 weeks of high‐intensity interval training (HIIT) on oxidative stress, inflammation, and apoptosis in rats with type 2 diabetes (T2D), focusing on the role of the Humanin (HN). In this study, 28 male Wistar rats were assigned to one of four groups: healthy control (CO), diabetes control (T2D), exercise (EX), and diabetes + exercise (T2D + EX). After diabetes induction (2‐month high‐fat diet and injection of 35 mg/kg streptozotocin), the animals in the EX and T2D + EX groups underwent an 8‐week HIIT protocol (4–10, interval of 80%–100% of maximum speed). HOMA‐IR, fasting blood glucose, and HN levels were measured in the serum. The expression of HN, Bax, Bcl‐2, CAT, GPx, MDA, TNFα, and IL‐10 was measured in the soleus muscle. Our results showed that the serum level of HN and the muscle levels of IL‐10, SOD, CAT, and Bax were higher in the T2D + EX group than in the T2D group. However, the HOMA‐IR index and the muscle levels of MDA, TNFα, and Bcl‐2 were lower in the T2D + EX group than in the T2D group. Muscle levels of HN and GPx showed no significant difference between the T2D + EX and T2D groups. The result of Pearson analysis showed a significant correlation between HN and MDA, SOD, Bax and Bcl‐2. This study provides evidence that there is a correlation between serum Humanin levels and HIIT. HIIT benefits T2D rats by reducing inflammation and oxidative stress. Given Humanin's established involvement in inflammation and oxidative stress, it is possible that the benefits of HIIT on T2D rats are mediated by humanin.