Issue 25-2, 2026

Review

https://doi.org/10.38025/2078-1962-2026-25-2-99-108

Fartlek Training as a Dynamic Approach to Improving Skill-Related Fitness in Athletes: A Review

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Nidhi Kotadiya, ORCIDSarfraznawaz F. Shah*

Sumandeep Vidyapeeth deemed to be University, Vadodara, India


ABSTRACT

INTRODUCTION. Sports involve organized, competitive physical activities, with results reliant on athletes’ abilities. Intense, consistent training is vital for fitness and performance improvement. Training is structured to enhance athletes’ skills and fitness through systematic exercises. Fartlek training, also called “speed play”, integrates varied intervals to boost muscular force, aerobic capacity, and pacing skills, aiding athletes in adjusting to different intensity levels and improving performance through personalized, disciplined training.

AIM. The effectiveness of fartlek training for endurance is well studied, but its effect on skill development remains unclear. This review evaluated existing evidence and identified future directions to establish its efficacy in skill development.

MATERIALS AND METHODS. The searching had been limited to human studies only. Search engines used for this review are Google scholar, PubMed, SCOPUS, PEDro, MEDLINE, Research gate, etc. Thorough research was performed to gather relevant articles from January 2014 to December 2024. The review included randomized controlled trials (RCTs) and quasi-experimental studies that involved athletes undergoing Fartlek training.

RESULTS. Total 145 articles were received through multiple databases from which 23 studies were selected after removing duplication and as per inclusion criteria. The studies varied in design (mostly RCTs) and included athlete populations from sports like soccer, hockey, and badminton, with intervention periods ranging from 4 to 12 weeks This review shows effectiveness of fartlek training in enhancing a broad spectrum of physical and physiological attributes crucial for athletic process.

DISCUSSION. Fartlek training shows consistent benefits for speed, agility, endurance, and coordination across varied athletic groups. Despite these positive effects, differences in study designs and protocols limit direct comparison of findings. Evidence suggests that longer durations and higher-intensity intervals yield greater improvements, supporting the need for individualized training plans. Overall, fartlek training is effective, but more standardized and long-term research is required to strengthen its applicability.

CONCLUSION. Review is showing positive impact of fartlek training on skill related physical fitness among athletes. Fartlek training is a valuable and comprehensive tool for enhancing athletic performance by improving cardiovascular endurance, speed, agility, and coordination.

REGISTRATION: Clinical Trial Registry India No. CTRI/2023/12/060531, registered December 19, 2023.


KEYWORDS: Fartlek training, agility, speed, endurance, physical fitness, athletes

FOR CITATION: Kotadiya N., Shah S.F. Fartlek Training as a Dynamic Approach to Improving Skill-Related Fitness in Athletes: A Review. Bulletin of Rehabilitation Medicine. 2026; 25(2):99–108. https://doi.org/10.38025/2078-1962-2026-25-2-99-108

FOR CORRESPONDENCE:

Sarfraznawaz F. Shah, E-mail: drsarfraznawaz.cop@sumandeepvidyapeethdu.edu.in


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This is an open article under the CC BY 4.0 license. Published by the National Medical Research Center for Rehabilitation and Balneology.