The impact of high-intensity interval training and circuit training on the physical fitness of indonesian pencak silat athletes

Authors

  • Priya Yoga Pradana Author
  • Bayu Ristiawan Universitas Negeri Surabaya image/svg+xml Author
  • Rahmawati Al Adha Nikmah Author
  • Rosi Rosalina Author
  • Jinfeng Sun Author

DOI:

https://doi.org/10.55040/9yeaf121

Keywords:

HIIT, circuit training, pencak silat, athletic performance, combat athletes

Abstract

This study compared the effectiveness of 6-week circuit training (CT) and high-intensity interval training (HIIT) on physical fitness and striking speed in Indonesian Pencak Silat athletes. Forty-five national-level athletes (age 19.8–20.1 years) were randomly assigned to CT (n=15), HIIT (n=15), or control (n=15). CT performed multi-station bodyweight/resistance training with progressive overload; HIIT followed interval protocols (85–95% HRmax) including sprints, agility drills, and shadow boxing; controls maintained conventional training. Pre/post assessments included Illinois Agility Test, 1RM leg press, sit-and-reach, 30-m sprint, push-up, and technique-specific speed tests (sickle kick, straight kick, straight punch). Both CT and HIIT significantly improved all variables (p<0.001), with no control changes. Mixed ANOVA revealed time×group interactions. CT showed greater gains in leg strength (F=68.74, η²p=0.710), flexibility (F=38.15, η²p=0.577), and push-ups (F=55.93, η²p=0.666). HIIT was superior for sprint speed (F=52.60, η²p=0.653), agility (F=45.32, η²p=0.618), and striking speeds: sickle kick (F=40.12, η²p=0.589), straight kick (F=41.50, η²p=0.597), straight punch (F=48.70, η²p=0.635). CT is more beneficial for strength and flexibility, while HIIT better improves speed, agility, and match-specific striking velocity. Periodized combination of both may optimize Pencak Silat performance.

References

Afonso, J., Blazevich, A. J., Behm, D. G., Tilp, M., & Warneke, K. (2026). One of These Things Is Not Like the Others: Disentangling the Concepts of Range of Motion Versus Flexibility, and Flexibility Training Versus Stretching. Sports Medicine, (0123456789). https://doi.org/10.1007/s40279-026-02425-4

Al Furqan, M., Subagio, I., Widodo, A., Suyoko, A., & Pranoto, A. (2025). The effect of bodyweight circuit training on flexibility and strength endurance in male tennis players. Pedagogy of Physical Culture and Sports. https://doi.org/10.15561/26649837.2025.0104

Amanda, P., & Sukamti, E. R. (2024). Management of perfomance development of pencak silat athletes at bangka District Training Center 2023. 11(6), 107–111. https://doi.org/10.22271/kheljournal.2024.v11.i6b.3581

Annasai, F., Sumaryanti, S., Nugroho, S., Hartanto, A., & Arianto, A. C. (2023). Circuit training based physical condition training model to increase speed, agility, arm power, and limb muscle power of basketball athletes. Pedagogy of Physical Culture and Sports. https://doi.org/10.15561/26649837.2023.0403

Ari Ortega, & Ipang Setiawan. (2025). A Survey on the Physical Condition of Pencak Silat Athletes of the Persaudaraan Setia Hati Terate Sleman Branch in 2025. Journal of Physical Education Health and Sport, 12(1), 242–247. https://doi.org/10.15294/jpehs.v12i1.30699

Astorino, T. A., Edmunds, R. M., Clark, A., King, L., Gallant, R. A., Namm, S., Fischer, A., & Wood, K. M. (2017). High-Intensity Interval Training Increases Cardiac Output and V˙O2max. Medicine and Science in Sports and Exercise, 49(2), 265–273. https://doi.org/10.1249/MSS.0000000000001099

Baharavar, F., Vakili, J., Sari-Sarraf, V., & Pourmanaf, H. (2025). The effect of circuit training on muscle synthesis’s indices, neurotrophic factors, and physical fitness in elderly women: a randomized controlled trial. Sport Sciences for Health, 21(2), 931–938. https://doi.org/10.1007/s11332-025-01330-z

Barber-Westin, S., & Noyes, F. R. (2019). Neuromuscular Function, Agility, and Aerobic Testing BT - Return to Sport after ACL Reconstruction and Other Knee Operations: Limiting the Risk of Reinjury and Maximizing Athletic Performance (F. R. Noyes & S. Barber-Westin, Eds.; pp. 481–503). Springer International Publishing. https://doi.org/10.1007/978-3-030-22361-8_20

Brijwasi, T., & Borkar, P. (2023). A comprehensive exercise program improves foot alignment in people with flexible flat foot: a randomised trial. Journal of Physiotherapy, 69(1), 42–46. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jphys.2022.11.011

Carpenter, S. L., Helms, E. R., Pendakur, R. C., Hibbert, J. E., & Schubert, M. M. (2025). Effects of High Intensity Circuit Versus Traditional Strength Training on Physiological Responses in Trained Women. European Journal of Sport Science, 25(5), e12298. https://doi.org/10.1002/ejsc.12298

Faul, F., Erdfelder, E., Lang, A.-G., & Buchner, A. (2007). G*Power 3: A flexible statistical power analysis program for the social, behavioral, and biomedical sciences. Behavior Research Methods, 39(2), 175–191. https://doi.org/10.3758/BF03193146

Fitri Rahayu Arida, Moch. F. A. (2025). The Differential Effects of Circuit Training and High-Intensity Interval Training (HIIT) Methods on VO₂Max Improvement in Pencak Silat Athletes at SMA Negeri 2 Taruna Pamong Praja, East Java. Jurnal Pendidikan Kepelatihan Olahraga -S1, 17(2), 1039–1047. https://doi.org/10.26858/cpjok.v17i2.65

Fitriana Putrie, S., & Sumartiningsih, S. (2025). The Effect of Sabit Kick Training Program with High Intensity Interval Training (HIIT) on Speed and Agility. Journal of Physical Education and Sports, 14(4), 57–67. https://doi.org/10.15294/jpes.v14i4.24986

Franchini, E., Cormack, S., & Takito, M. Y. (2019b). Effects of High-Intensity Interval Training on Olympic Combat Sports Athletes’ Performance and Physiological Adaptation: A Systematic Review. Journal of Strength & Conditioning Research, 33(1), 242–252. https://doi.org/10.1519/JSC.0000000000002957

Guelmami, N., Ben Ezzeddine, L., Hatem, G., Trabelsi, O., Ben Saad, H., Glenn, J. M., El Omri, A., Chalghaf, N., Taheri, M., Bouassida, A., Ben Aissa, M., Trabelsi, K., Ammar, A., Bouzouraa, M. M., Saidane, M., Eken, Ö., Clark, C. C. T., Parsakia, K., Dhahbi, W., … Dergaa, I. (2024). The Ethical Compass: Establishing ethical guidelines for research practices in sports medicine and exercise science. International Journal of Sport Studies for Health, 7(2), 31–46. https://doi.org/10.61838/kman.intjssh.7.2.4

HATMONO, D. W. I., & Purbodjati, P. (2021). Exercise Model for Improving The Physical Condition Of Pencak Silat Sport: Model Latihan Peningkatan Kondisi Fisik Pada Olahraga Pencak Silat. Kesehatan Olahraga, 9(2), 47–56. https://doi.org/10.26740/jurnal-kesehatan-olahraga.v9i2.39064

Hermassi, S., Laudner, K. G., & Schwesig, R. (2020). The Effects of Circuit Strength Training on the Development of Physica l Fitness and Performance-Related Variables in Handball Players. Journal of Human Kinetics. https://doi.org/10.2478/hukin-2019-0083

Herrera-Valenzuela, T., Carter, J., Leiva, E., Valdés-Badilla, P., Ojeda-Aravena, A., & Franchini, E. (2021). Effect of a short hiit program with specific techniques on physical condition and activity during simulated combat in national-level boxers. Sustainability (Switzerland), 13(16). https://doi.org/10.3390/su13168746

Heydari, M., Freund, J., & Boutcher, S. H. (2012). The effect of high-intensity intermittent exercise on body composition of overweight young males. Journal of Obesity, 2012, 480467. https://doi.org/10.1155/2012/480467

Jiang, T., Zhang, M., Wang, Z., & Wang, P. (2026). The effects of integrative neuromuscular training on injury risk and athletic performance in athletes: a systematic review and meta-analysis. BMC Sports Science, Medicine and Rehabilitation, 18(1). https://doi.org/10.1186/s13102-026-01549-4

Kamarudin, K., Sasmarianto, S., & Rahmalia, W. (2024). Differences in the Effect of Circuit Training and Fartlex Training on Increasing Vo2Max of Pencak Silat Athletes. Indonesian Journal of Physical Education and Sport Science, 4(2), 140–147. https://doi.org/10.52188/ijpess.v4i2.705

Kassiano, W., Santos-Melo, V., Manske, I., Costa, B. D. D. V., & Cyrino, E. S. (2026). Progressive Overload Affects the Magnitude of Muscle Hypertrophy. Medicine and Science in Sports and Exercise. https://doi.org/10.1249/MSS.0000000000003968

Liu, Y., Abdullah, B. Bin, & Abu Saad, H. (2024). Effects of high-intensity interval training on strength, speed, and en durance performance among racket sports players: A systematic review. PLoS ONE. https://doi.org/10.1371/journal.pone.0295362

Marques, L., Franchini, E., Drago, G., Aoki, M. S., & Moreira, A. (2017). Physiological and performance changes in national and international judo athletes during block periodization training. Biology of Sport, 34(4), 371–378. https://doi.org/10.5114/biolsport.2017.69825

Merino-Muñoz, P., Teixeira, F. G., Pérez-Contreras, J., Inostroza-Rios, F., Ferreira, A., Brito, C., Miarka, B., & Aedo-Muñoz, E. (2024). Intra-test reliability of the countermovement push-up and its relationship with anthropometric parameters in semi-professional kickboxers. Retos, 61, 706–713. https://doi.org/10.47197/retos.v61.108929

Muhammad Alkhalish, Mulyana, & Widi Kusumah. (2025). The Effect of Circuit Training Method on T Kick Speed of Pencak Silat Athletes. Journal of Physical Education Health and Sport, 12(1), 145–150. https://doi.org/10.15294/jpehs.v12i1.29641

Mulyana. (2013). Pendidikan pencak silat: Membangun jati diri dan karakter bangsa. Bandung Remaja Rosdakarya. https://balaiyanpus.jogjaprov.go.id/opac/detail-opac?id=266670

Muñoz-Martínez, F. A., Rubio-Arias, J., Ramos-Campo, D. J., & Alcaraz, P. E. (2017). Effectiveness of Resistance Circuit-Based Training for Maximum Oxygen Uptake and Upper-Body One-Repetition Maximum Improvements: A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis. Sports Medicine, 47(12), 2553–2568. https://doi.org/10.1007/s40279-017-0773-4

Pallant, J. (2020). This is what readers from around the world say about the SPSS Survival Manual: A Step by step Guide to Data Analysis Using IBM SPSS. Routledge.

Pocaan, J. M. (2024). The Effect of 16-Week Progressive Circuit Training Program on the Heal th and Skill-Related Fitness Parameters of Overweight University Stude nts. Physical Education Theory and Methodology. https://doi.org/10.17309/tmfv.2024.2.02

Pratama, I. C., T., Sukamti, E. R., & Alim, A. (2025). Physical condition profile of Indonesian national pencak silat athletes in special preparation and pre-competition in preparation for the 2025 sea games. International Journal of Physical Education, Sports and Health, 12(6), 262–268. https://doi.org/10.22271/kheljournal.2025.v12.i6d.4101

Ramos-Campo, D. J. J., Caravaca, L. A., Martínez-Rodríguez, A., & Rubio-Arias, J. Á. (2021). Effects of resistance circuit-based training on body composition, stre ngth and cardiorespiratory fitness: A systematic review and meta-analy sis. Biology. https://doi.org/10.3390/biology10050377

Ravichandran, B., Jothilingam, M., & Murugan, P. V. (2025). Efficacy of high-intensity interval training on power and agility amon g sprinters: an experimental study. Gazzetta Medica Italiana Archivio per Le Scienze Mediche. https://doi.org/10.23736/S0393-3660.24.05627-4

Razmpoosh, E., Safi, S., Nadjarzadeh, A., Salehi-Abargouei, A., Mazaheri, M., Mirmiran, P., & Meyre, D. (2023). Effects of Nigella sativa supplementation on blood concentration and mRNA expression of TNF-α, PPAR-γ and adiponectin, as major adipogenesis-related markers, in obese and overweight women: a crossover, randomised-controlled trial. British Journal of Nutrition, 129(4), 627–636. https://doi.org/10.1017/S0007114522001428

Saibya, S., Pandey, G., Jadhav, A. C., Rajpoot, Y. S., Govindasamy, K., Sarkar, S., & Gogoi, H. (2024). Impact of circuit training on physical fitness among team sports athletes: A systematic review. Fizjoterapia Polska, 2024(1), 244–257. https://doi.org/10.56984/8ZG2EF82sK

Saputro, F. A., Wiyanto, A., & Ratimiasih, Y. (2025). Physical Condition Analysis of Central Java PPLP Rowing Athletes. Journal of Sport Science and Fitness, 11(1), 17–25. https://doi.org/10.15294/jssf.v11i1.24539

Tafuri, F., Martinez-Roig, R., Anam, K., Saraiello, E., & Latino, F. (2024). Effects of a circuit training program in improving cardiorespiratory f itness, upper extremity strength, and agility in paraplegic subjects. Retos. https://doi.org/10.47197/retos.v58.107488

Vasconcelos, B. B., Protzen, G. V, Galliano, L. M., Kirk, C., & Del Vecchio, F. B. (2020). Effects of High-Intensity Interval Training in Combat Sports: A Systematic Review with Meta-Analysis. Journal of Strength and Conditioning Research, 34(3), 888–900. https://doi.org/10.1519/JSC.0000000000003255

Venckunas, T., Bruzas, V., Snieckus, A., Stasiule, L., Kniubaite, A., Mickevicius, M., Kamandulis, S., & Stasiulis, A. (2024). Anaerobic Performance Profiling in Elite Amateur Boxers. Sports (Basel, Switzerland), 12(9). https://doi.org/10.3390/sports12090231

Wang, X., Soh, K. G., Zhang, L., Liu, X., Ma, S., Zhao, Y., & Sun, C. (2025). Effects of high-intensity functional training on physical fitness in healthy individuals: a systematic review with meta-analysis. BMC Public Health, 25(1). https://doi.org/10.1186/s12889-025-21538-5

Xu, N., Xue, Y., & Zhang, M. (2025). Effect of High-Intensity Interval Training with Varying Work-to-Rest Ratios on Specific Physical Fitness in Adolescent Taekwondo Athletes. European Journal of Sport Science, 25(10), e70050. https://doi.org/https://doi.org/10.1002/ejsc.70050

Yue, F., Wang, Y., Yang, H., & Zhang, X. (2025). Effects of high-intensity interval training on aerobic and anaerobic capacity in olympic combat sports: a systematic review and meta-analysis. Frontiers in Physiology, 16, 1576676. https://doi.org/10.3389/fphys.2025.1576676

Downloads

Published

2026-10-01

Issue

Section

Original articles

Most read articles by the same author(s)

Similar Articles

1-10 of 150

You may also start an advanced similarity search for this article.