The Effects of interval training on anaerobic capacity of soccer players

Abstract

Background : In professional soccers, high intensity interval training was used to improve players’ anaerobic capacity. Anaerobic capacity improvement has been shown enhance soccer performance. It also has been shown that, improvement in anaerobic capacity can be induced by specific interval training. However, it is not cleared whether or not specific soccer position performance can be improved by anaerobic endurance training. Objective: The main aim of this investigation was to study the effects of high intensity interval training on anaerobic capacity of soccer players. Methods: The sample group composed of 30 male soccer players with a mean age of 24.33 (±3.78) years. They were divided into 3 groups; Group 1 (defenders), Group 2 (midfielders), and Group 3 (strikers) with 10 players in each group. All groups were trained twice a week for eight weeks by using the same specific interval training programs followed by normal soccer training programs in pre-season period. The specific interval training programs were consisted of maximum speed endurance running for 150 m x 6 rounds and 200 m x 5 rounds, at 90-95% of individual maximum speed in each distance, with a 5 and 6 minutes walk in between intervals. Results: The results were found that mean anaerobic capacity of group1, group2 and group 3 were 6.74(±0.57), 8.11(±1.57) and 7.32(±0.59) watts/kg respectively. There were significant differences between group1 and group 2 at statistical level p ≤ 0.05. Pre and post of 50 m speed , maximum oxygen consumption, anaerobic power and anaerobic capacity were significantly different at p ≤ 0.05. Conclusion: It was concluded that specific intensity interval training was effective for improving anaerobic capacity of soccer players, especially in midfielders.