Anaerobic conditioning of soccer players: the evaluation of different anaerobic training methods on soccer player's physical performance

Abstract

Background: High performance in soccer depends on various physical qualities and skills, including tactical and technical skills as the two most import factors that contribute to success. These skills could be more important than small differences in physical performance abilities. Nevertheless, to be able to utilize the tactical and technical skills during a top soccer match, a soccer player has to cope with the physical demands of the game. Besides the high aerobic demands in soccer, game analyses indicate that soccer players sprint between 1–11% of the total game with durations of 2 to 4 s for each sprint every 60–90 s, which equals about 60–90 sprints during a soccer match. Those sprints suggest a high-energy demand from the anaerobic energy system and the need to repeat high velocity sprints throughout the match. Therefore, the improvement of soccer players’ anaerobic conditioning could be regarded as essential.

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