The Aerobic and Anaorobic Performance of Elite Soccer Players: Pre-Season Assessment

Abstract

Introduction: Aerobic and anaerobic energy metabolism components are considered as an important determinant of performance in football game. The aim of this study is to investigate the effect of 8-week aerobic and anaerobic endurance training applied during the preparation period in elite football players on selected physical and physiological characteristics.
Methods: Healthy and active elite-level male football players (n=11, age 26.72±6.13 years) participated in the study. Participants performed 40 exercise sessions involving aerobic and anaerobic performance-enhancing drills over an 8-week period. The participants were evaluated in 2 different situations. Aerobic (Yo-Yo Intermittent Recovery test level 2) and Anaerobic (vertical jump, agility and 20 meter sprint) tests were performed to the athletes before and after the 8-week training application. The Paired Samples t Test was applied to compare the obtained data. The analysis of the data was evaluated according to a p<0.05 significance level in the SPSS 23 statistical program.
Results: applied to footballers, Aerobic performance (VO2 max mileage and Yoyo) and anaerobic performance (vertical jump, agility, and 20 meter sprint) pretest-posttest data, a statistically significant difference was found (p<0.05).
Conclusion: These findings show that the training program, which includes aerobic and anaerobic performance-enhancing drills applied during the general preparation period, improves the selected physical and physiological characteristics of elite football players.