Fitness training as the mean of improving the physical fitness of high skilled football players

Abstract

The results of physical fitness level of highly skilled football players in the preparatory and competitive periods of the annual macrocycle are presented. The study involved 34 players of Football Club “Zorya” (Lugansk city) aging from 20 to 30. In the annual cycle of football players training season 2018/2019, the training process was carried out in accordance with the current program. An experimental program was used in the first and second preparatory periods of the annual training cycle in the season 2019/2020. Insufficient efficiency of the traditional program of physical training of highly skilled football players in the preparatory and competitive periods of the annual training cycle has been established. The athlete’s training level was marked by optimal indicators of readiness only by tests that characterized the explosive strength and joint flexibility. Experimental program was developed in order to increase the efficiency of the training process of highly skilled football players. The main feature of this program was the use of three innovative methods of modern fitness training: MAX®, Tabata, HIIT. Functional classes that based on the use of step platforms were offered instead of classical aerobics classes. The results of the physical fitness testing of FC “Zorya” football players at the end of the preparatory periods of the 2019/2020 season indicated a significantly better level of athlete’s readiness for the next competitive periods comparing to the corresponding periods of the previous season. Experimental program effectiveness was confirmed by the results of the FC “Zorya” team in the championship of the Ukrainian Premier League 2019/2020.