Physiological adaptations and endurance unveiled: The impact of structured fitness training on elite youth soccer players

Fitness training enhances endurance in soccer players. The study aimed to determine the effect of a Motophysic Fitness (MPFIT) training program on the physical and technical skills of twenty youth soccer players with an average age 20±1 years, height 1.71 ± 0.5 m, and weight 64.3 ± 5.7 kg. It consisted of a 12-week intervention period during the off-season. The MPFIT training was designed to improve physical fitness in terms of endurance, taking into account the players' positional differences. Yo-Yo Intermittent Recovery Test Level-1 (Yo-YoIRT1) was implemented to measure endurance before and after training. The outcome of Yo-YoIRT1 was assessed in terms of total distance covered in meters, the level achieved and estimated VO2max. Maximum heart rate was also measured to analyse the impact of MPFIT training. The MPFIT regime offered an average of 2% increase in fitness level of the players in all positions. Z-test revealed that significance p-values for the level achieved and VO2max were determined to be p=0.004 and p=0.02, respectively. The study provided substantial evidence supporting the viability of MPFIT regime as an innovative form of high-intensity training and implemented by individual players for self-assessment and by trainers for enhancing the soccer player fitness.