Intermittent training and improvement of anthropometric parameters and aerobic capacity in youth football

Abstract

Optimal football training, among many targets, should allow both the improvement of the maximum oxygen intake (VO2max), as well as the body mass index or BMI. The aim of this study is to demonstrate the effectiveness of the methodology of intermittent training, in terms of a significant improvement in the performance of the players involved in the study. The study is useful for trainers to reorganize training planning and adapt it to individual players. The method is experimental and involves the usual parameters for performance monitoring. There were 17 young amateur footballers, aged between 16 and 17, who participated in the regional under-17 championship this year. Data were collected over the course of twelve weeks. They were expressed as average ± SD for: height (176.1 ± 8.45), weight (63.3 ± 12.7) and body mass index (20.2 ± 2.5). Gacon intermittent field test was used to determine the VO2max. Statistical data analysis was performed with the t-test to check the differences between pre-test and post-test (at the beginning and end of three months of specific training). Significant differences were fixed at p < .05. Results show that there is a significant difference in performance between pre and post-workout for tests conducted.