Change in Maximal Oxygen Uptake (VO₂Max)
Conditions
Keywords
aerobic capacity, intermittent fitness assessment, women's football, metabolic response
Brief summary
This study compares the acute aerobic, metabolic, and threshold-related physiological responses elicited by the 30-15 Intermittent Fitness Test (30-15IFT) and a treadmill-based incremental running test in elite female football players. Using a randomized crossover design, all participants completed both testing protocols with a 48-hour recovery period. Outcomes included maximal oxygen uptake, maximal running speed, heart rate responses, lactate-derived thresholds, metabolic tolerance indices, and recovery markers.
Detailed description
Laboratory-based treadmill tests are commonly used to assess aerobic capacity in football players; however, they lack sport-specific characteristics such as intermittent running, accelerations, and changes of direction. The 30-15 Intermittent Fitness Test (30-15IFT) has been proposed as a more ecologically valid field-based alternative. Twenty-seven elite female football players competing in the Turkish Women's Super League completed both the 30-15IFT and a standardized treadmill incremental protocol in a randomized crossover design. Tests were separated by 48 hours and performed under controlled environmental conditions. Physiological variables including VO₂max, maximal running speed, maximal heart rate, respiratory exchange ratio, lactate-derived thresholds (OBLA), metabolic load-dependent tolerance, and post-exercise recovery markers were assessed using breath-by-breath gas analysis, heart rate monitoring, and capillary blood lactate sampling. The study aims to determine whether the 30-15IFT elicits more sensitive and sport-specific physiological responses compared with treadmill testing, thereby supporting its use in performance monitoring and individualized training prescription in elite women's football.
Interventions
OTHER30-15 Intermittent Fitness Test
Participants performed the 30-15 Intermittent Fitness Test consisting of 30-second running bouts interspersed with 15-second passive recovery periods, with progressive increases in running speed until volitional exhaustion.
OTHERControl
Inspiratory Muscle Warm-Up Non-treated group, Control
Sponsors
Gümüşhane Universıty
Study design
Allocation
RANDOMIZED
Intervention model
PARALLEL
Primary purpose
SUPPORTIVE_CARE
Masking
SINGLE (Subject)
Intervention model description
This study used a randomized crossover design in which all participants completed both the 30-15 Intermittent Fitness Test and a treadmill-based incremental running test. The order of the test protocols was randomized, and a 48-hour recovery period was implemented between sessions to minimize carryover effects. Physiological responses were compared within participants across the two testing conditions.
Eligibility
Sex/Gender
FEMALE
Age
18 Years to 30 Years
Healthy volunteers
Yes
Inclusion criteria
* Female football players aged 18-35 years * Competing in the Turkish Women's Super League * Minimum of 3 years of professional football experience, * Full participation in training and matches during the previous 6 months, * Ability to perform maximal exercise testing
Exclusion criteria
* Musculoskeletal injury affecting performance within the last 3 months, * Diagnosed cardiovascular, metabolic, or respiratory disease, * Any condition limiting maximal physical effort
Design outcomes
Primary
| Measure | Time frame | Description |
|---|---|---|
| Maximal Running Speed (MRS) | DAY 1 | Highest running speed achieved during each protocol. |
| Maximal Oxygen Uptake (VO₂max) | Day 1 | Maximal oxygen uptake measured via breath-by-breath gas analysis. |
Secondary
| Measure | Time frame | Description |
|---|---|---|
| body composition | 1 Day | Body composition (BMI) |
| Maximal Heart Rate (HRmax) | 1 Day | Peak heart rate achieved during each test. |
| Maximal Oxygen Uptake (VO₂max) | DAY 1 | Maximal oxygen uptake measured via breath-by-breath gas analysis. |
Countries
Turkey (Türkiye)
Contacts
PRINCIPAL_INVESTIGATORcoşkun yılmaz, associate professor
Gümüşhane Universıty
Outcome results
None listed