Aerobic Adaptation of Soccer Players to Selected Soccer Dribbling Drills

Abstract :

The maximal oxygen uptake (VO2max), which is required during an intensive and long duration training session for soccer players, is one of the major demands to improve the high performance. For elite soccer players, the aerobic capacity (VO2max) is an important aspect of physical and physiological fitness. The increase in maximal oxygen uptake (VO2max) causes an increase in the heart and lungs efficiencies. The repetition, interval and continuous training methods with different skill drills can improve the VO2max of soccer players. Players having the high level of VO2max can execute the most artistic dribbling skill during the intensive competition situations. The objective of the study was to investigate the aerobic (VO2max) adaptation of soccer players to selected soccer dribbling drills if any, by comparing the aerobic efficiency of experimental group to their matched control group. The hypothesis of the present study was formulated that there might be significant aerobic (VO2max) adaptation of soccer players to selected soccer dribbling drills. Thirty (N=30) male soccer players between the 20-28 years of age from different clubs of Senior State League of Manipur were selected randomly, and divided into two groups, where only the experimental group was treated with selected dribbling drills- Figure ‘8’ Dribbling (F8D), Diagonal Shuttle Dribbling (DSD), Angular Feinting Dribbling (AFD) and Zig-Zag Feinting Dribbling (ZZFD) for six weeks. The data were collected by administering the Cooper’s 12 min. Run/Walk test and to find out significant aerobic adaptation the ‘t’ test and ANCOVA statistical techniques were employed and 0.05 level of confidence was reserved to test the hypothesis. The pre and post test means and standard deviations of Experimental Group-I were 58.07±2.84 and 59.93±2.69 respectively, and for the Control Group-II, were 58.53±2.36 and 58.73±2.19 respectively. The significant difference was found in case of experimental group as the obtained value of paired sample ‘t’ = (-)7.30> ‘t’=2.145 (tabulated) at 0.05 level of confidence (two tailed test). However, no significant difference in case of control group (obtained ‘t’ = (-)0.68 < 2.145). Further, there was found the significant difference between the experimental and control groups by employing the ANCOVA as the obtained critical F= 18.23> F=4.21(tabulated). Within this limited six weeks (42 days) training program of selected soccer dribbling drills (F8D, DSD, AFD and ZZFD), the aerobic capacity (VO2max) of the soccer players were significantly improved and adapted, and the research hypothesis was accepted.

Author Name : Dr. Laishram Thambal Singh & Dr. B. A. Khan

Keywords: Soccer, Dribbling, VO2max, Cooper.