THE USE OF AN 8-WEEK MIXED-INTENSITY INTERVAL ENDURANCE-TRAINING PROGRAM IMPROVES THE AEROBIC FITNESS OF FEMALE SOCCER PLAYERS

The purpose of this study is to examine improvements in cardiorespiratory fitness ([latin capital V with dot above]o2) after the use of a mixed-intensity interval endurance-training (MI-ET) program in female soccer players, to validate the MI-ET program as an appropriate training regimen to improve cardiorespiratory fitness ([latin capital V with dot above]o2) in soccer players. 32 female soccer players (average 18.66 ± 0.31 years) were recruited from a group of currently conditioning local U-19 and college soccer teams and randomly assigned to participate in an 8-week periodized training program that involved either the MI-ET program or the continuation of a current endurance-training (ET) program. Analysis of variance indicates no differences in [latin capital V with dot above]o2 values within the group of athletes before participating in the exercise program. After the 8 weeks of training, the MI-ET group of athletes had significantly greater average [latin capital V with dot above]o2 values (62.13 ± 0.96 ml O2·kg-1·min-1 vs. 57.27 ± 1.59 ml O2·kg-1·min-1), p = 0.015, along with a greater group average of change in [latin capital V with dot above]o2 (12.44 ± 0.92 ml O2·kg-1·min-1 vs. 7.72 ± 0.99 ml O2·kg-1·min-1), p < 0.001. The MI-ET program is shown to be a valid means to improve aerobic fitness as indicated by the MI-ET group exhibiting significantly greater [latin capital V with dot above]o2 measures after training.