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 ([[??]o.sub.2]) 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 ([[??]o.sub.2]) in soccer players. 32 female soccer players (average 18.66 [[+ or -]or ] 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 [[??]o.sub.2] 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 [[??]o.sub.2] values (62.13 [[+ or -]or -] 0.96 ml [O.sub.2] x [kg.sup.-1] x [min sup.-1] vs. 57.27 [[+ or -]or ] 1.59 ml [O.sub.2] x [kg.sup.-1] x [min.sup.-1]), p = 0.015, along with a greater group average of change in [[??]o.sub.2] (12.44 [[+ or -]or -] 0.92 ml [O.sub.2] x [kg.sup.-1] x [min-sup.-1] vs. 7.72 [[+ or -]or -] 0.99 ml [O.sub.2] x [kg.sup.-1] x [min.sup.- 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 402 measures after training. KEY WORDS aerobic training, intermittent endurance exercise, improvement in [[??]o.sub.2]