The effect of aerobic exercise on oxygen consumption capacities and body composition in football players

The purpose of this study is to investigate the effect of aerobic exercise program on oxygen consumption capacity and body composition of soccer players. 24 healthy male soccer players between 18-25 years old participated voluntarily in the province of Gaziantep. The subjects were randomly divided into two groups as experimental group (n = 12, age: 21.66 ± 2.30) and control group (n = 12, age: 22.00 ± 1.95). The experimental group was given an aerobic exercise program for 3 days a week for 8 weeks. Both groups continued their regular soccer practice. Body weight, body mass index (BMI), body fat percentage (BF%), systolic blood pressure (SBP), diastolic blood pressure (DBP), resting heart rate (HRrest), maximal heart rate (HRmax), maximal work rate (WRmax), maximal minute ventilation (VEmax), and maximal oxygen consumption capacity (VO2max) of the subjects were measured before and after the aerobic exercise program. Individual oxygen consumption capacities were determined using the Ramp protocol in the gas analysis system. For the analysis of the data, Paired, Sample t test and Independent Sample t test were used in the group comparisons. When the pre-test and post-test data of the experimental group were compared, significant differences were found in body weight, BMI, BMI, SBP, DBP, HRrest, HRmax, WRmax, VEmax and VO2max values (p<0.05). VO2max value of the control group was significant (p<0.05). In other measures, there was no significance. When pre-test and post-test measurements of the groups were compared, all the data were found to be significant in favor of the experimental group (p<0.05). As a result, it can be said that the aerobic exercise program applied to footballers has a positive effect on the oxygen consumption capacity and body composition positively. It can be said that the aerobic capacity and body composition values of regular and planned aerobic exercises are improved. Key Words: Football, Aerobic exercise, Body composition, VO2max.