The effects of eight-week concurrent training on aerobic and anaerobic fitness in competitive young female soccer players

Soccer is an intermittent sport that requires both aerobic and anaerobic fitness along with technical and tactical skills (Datson et al., 2014). Due to the demands of both aerobic and anaerobic fitness, a concurrent training method that combines aerobic and anaerobic training within a training session can be useful in improving physical performance (Enright et al., 2014). Concurrent training has been shown to improve physical performance in young male soccer players (Enright et al., 2014). However, there is a paucity of research on young female soccer players. Therefore, the purpose of this study was to evaluate the effects of a concurrent training method on aerobic and anaerobic fitness in young female soccer players. Sixteen young soccer players from a premier club participated in this study. Participants were randomly divided into a concurrent training group (CTG): (n=10; age = 13 ± 0.94 years; body mass= 50.1 ± 8.50 kg; height =1.59± 0.01 m) and control group (CG): (n= 6; age= 13.08 ± 0.73; body mass= 52.6 ± 4.88
kg ; height = 1.61 ± 0.06 m). The CTG performed two sessions of concurrent training that included speed, power, strength, and conditioning for eight weeks in addition to soccer training. The CG group performed soccer skill sessions. Pre and post testing was done in vertical jump height, an average of repeated four vertical jumps, single leg horizontal jumps, and Yo-Yo intermittent recovery test (YYIR1). CTG group significantly improved with moderate to large effect
size in average four vertical jump height (p< 0.05; g= 0.57; 7.82%), single leg horizontal jumps (p<0.05; g= 1.3-1.5; 9.38-9.64%) and YYIR1 (p<0.05; g=0.60; 17.1%). The CT group did not show improvements across any tests. A low volume concurrent training along with soccer training can be an effective way to improve acute aerobic and anaerobic fitness in young female soccer
players