Michaelides, M.

Michaelides, M. A., Parpa, K. M., & Zacharia, A. I. (2021). Effects of an 8-Week Pre-seasonal Training on the Aerobic Fitness of Professional Soccer Players. Journal of strength and conditioning research, 35(10), 2783-2789.

The article, “Effects of an 8-Week Pre-Seasonal Training on the Aerobic Fitness of Professional Soccer Players” represents a pre-season training period in soccer. This training period aims to develop physical requisites for competition. The primary method applied here is an experimental approach involving an eight-week pre-season training program. This program is meant to examine its impacts on the aerobic fitness of professional soccer players. The study of the physical characteristics of professional soccer players is vital for the advancement of the sport. In this sense, coaches and trainers need to evaluate what a player does with his body and how he does it. The anthropometry of a player has been used as an indicator for assessing the probable physical development of the athletes.

The study concludes that the significant changes in the process of adaptations that occur with this type of training can assist trainers and coaches in planning a successful pre-season training program. The physiological improvement in the aerobic capacity of the players was observed during this training period compared to the previous one. This indicates that they can adapt to new physical situations and environments, making them less vulnerable in sports later on. For example, it was observed that the per cent changes in heart rate were significant after eight weeks of training.

In this research project, two players groups were trained under the control condition, and another group qualified under the experimental situation. The exercise was performed according to a recommended program by their trainer, so it meant that they received full and individualized attention, which included exercises that affected the upper body, lower body, balance and coordination.

This research will benefit my weekly training program for both the male and female soccer players in my team. It suggests that I should have them under a more intense exercise program, as it will help them improve their aerobic fitness to a higher level. The program should begin from the pre-season training period, where I will focus on improving their endurance and speed. Speed training is more important for female players as they do not have enough speed compared to male players, which is why they cannot compete in fast-paced games. My weekly training program involves a combination of running and endurance training, which I will apply in their weekly meetings. The training program also includes a speed routine where I will focus on increasing the speed of my players. After the pre-season period, I should use the same speed routine and add some strength training sessions to enhance their overall performance.

This article aims to demonstrate how physiological adaptations in the aerobic capacity are achieved and improved during a pre-season training program, which is aimed to attain physical fitness and, later on, competition, the effects it has on performance in professional soccer matches.