Integrating Anaerobic Speed Reserve, Intermittent Fitness Test, and Maximum Aerobic Speed Tests for Comprehensive Fitness Evaluation in Soccer

by Varun Ghosh, MSc, CSCS
NSCA Coach November 2023
Vol 10, Issue 3

Share:
Available to:
Members only
Audience:
Coaches

This article aims to explain why integrating multiple tests such as Anaerobic Speed Reserve (ASR), Intermittent Fitness Test (IFT), and Maximum Aerobic Speed (MAS) can provide a comprehensive evaluation of soccer players’ fitness levels and help to design effective training programs tailored to their individual needs.

Paywall block issue

This article is not configured properly for members or paid content.
isMemberOnly: {{isMemberOnly}} | isPaidContent: {{isPaidContent}}
spc: One or more parts of the product SPC is missing.

Read the full article

View the video

Login to view more


{{discountDesc}} Valid thru {{discountEnds}}

This {{ogType == 'video.other' ? 'video':'article'}} is available with a NSCA membership

This {{ogType == 'video.other' ? 'video':'article'}} can be purchased for {{prices}}
Price includes membership pricing and promotions

Purchase this {{ogType == 'video.other' ? 'video':'article'}}. Price range: {{prices}}
Price range includes membership pricing and promotions

Become a Member Add to Cart Login

This article originally appeared in NSCA Coach, a quarterly publication for NSCA Members that provides valuable takeaways for every level of strength and conditioning coach. You can find scientifically based articles specific to a wide variety of your athletes’ needs with Nutrition, Programming, and Youth columns. Read more articles from NSCA Coach »

Share:

References

  1. Bailey, S, Wilkerson, D, Dimenna, F, and Jones A. Influence of repeated sprint training on pulmonary O2 uptake and muscle deoxygenation kinetics in humans. Journal of Applied Physiology 106(6): 1875-1887, 2009.
  2. Baker, D, and Heaney, N. Review of the literature normative data for maximal aerobic speed for field sport athletes: A brief review. Journal of Australian Strength and Conditioning 23(7): 60-67. 2015.
  3. Bangsbo, J. The physiology of soccer: With special reference to intense intermittent exercise. Acta Physiologica Scandinavian Supplement 619: 1-155, 1994.
  4. Bangsbo, J, Mohr, M, and Krustrup, P. Physical and metabolic demands of training and match-play in the elite football player. Journal of Sports Sciences 24(7): 665-674, 2006.
  5. Berthoin, S, Gerbeaux, M, Turpin, E, Guerrin, F, Lensel-Corbeil, G, and Vandendorpe, F. Comparison of two field tests to estimate maximum aerobic speed. Journal of Sports Sciences 12(4): 355-362, 1994.
  6. Bloomfield, J, Polman, R, and O’Donoghue. Physical demands of different positions in FA Premier League soccer. Journal of Sports and Science in Medicine 6(1): 63-70, 2007.
  7. Bompa, TO. Periodization Training for Sports. Champaign, IL: Human Kinetics; 1999.
  8. Bradley, P, Sheldon, W, Wooster, B, Olsen, P, Boanas P, and Krustrup, P. High-intensity running in English FA Premier League soccer matches. Journal of Sports Science 27(2): 159-168, 2009.
  9. Brooks, GA, Fahey, TD, and Baldwin, KM. Exercise Physiology: Human Bioenergetics and Its Applications. New York: McGraw- Hill; 102-108, 2005.
  10. Buchheit, M. High-intensity interval training in normoxia and hypoxia: Effects on performance and physiology. Sports Medicine 43(10): 927-944, 2013.
  11. Buchheit, M. The 30-15 Intermittent Fitness Test: 10 year review. Myorobie Journal 1: 2010.
  12. Buchheit, M. Managing high-speed running load in professional soccer players: The benefit of high-intensity interval training supplementation. Sport Performance and Science Reports 53(1): 1-5, 2019.
  13. Buchheit, M, and Laursen, PB. High-intensity interval training, solutions to the programming puzzle: Part II: Anaerobic energy, neuromuscular load and practical applications. Sports Medicine 43: 927-954, 2013.
  14. Buchheit, M, Lacome, M, and Simpson, B. Soccer. In: Laursen, PB, and Buchheit, M (Eds), Science and Application of High- Intensity Interval Training: Solutions to the Programming Puzzle. Champaign, IL: Human Kinetics; 547-564, 2018.
  15. Bundle, MW, Hoyt, RW, and Weyand, PG. High-speed running performance: A new approach to assessment and prediction. Journal of Applied Physiology 95(5): 1955-1962, 2023.
  16. Clemente, FM, Ramirez-Campillo, R, Afonso, J, Sarmento, H, Rosemann, T, and Knechtle, B. A meta-analytical comparison of the effects of small-sided games vs. running-based high intensity interval training on soccer players’ repeated-sprint ability. International Journal of Environmental Research and Public Health 18(5): 2781, 2021.
  17. Coso, J, de Souza, DB, Moreno-Perez, V, Buldú, JM, Nevado, F, Resta, R, and Campo, RL. Influence of players’ maximum running speed on the team’s ranking position at the end of the Spanish Laliga. International Journal of Environmental Research and Public Health 17(23): 1-11, 2020.
  18. Deuchrass, RWA. Comparison of the Yo-Yo intermittent recovery test, 3-km distance run and a novel 2-km ‘down-up’ test, in rugby union players. Journal of Australian Strength and Conditioning 21: 35-41, 2014.
  19. Di Salvo V, Gregson W, Atkinson, G, Tordoff, P, and Drust, B. Analysis of high intensity activity in Premier League soccer. International Journal of Sports Medicine 30(3): 205-212, 2009.
  20. Dugdale, JH, Sanders, D, and Hunter, AM. Reliability of change of direction and agility assessments in youth soccer players. Sports 8(4): 1-11, 2020.
  21. Engel, FA, Ackermann, A, Chtourou, H, and Sperlich, B. High-intensity interval training performed by young athletes: A systematic review and meta-analysis. Frontiers in Physiology 9, 2018.
  22. Fereday, K, Hills, SP, Russell, M, Smith, J, Cunningham, DJ, Shearer, D, et al. A comparison of rolling averages versus discrete time epochs for assessing the worst-case scenario locomotor demands of professional soccer match-play. Journal of Science and Medicine in Sport 23(8): 764-769, 2020.
  23. Fransson, D, Nielsen, TS, Olsson, K, Christensson, T, Bradley, PS, Fatouros, IG, et al. Skeletal muscle and performance adaptations to high-intensity training in elite male soccer players: Speed endurance runs versus small-sided game training. European Journal of Applied Physiology 118(1): 111-121, 2018.
  24. French, DN. Interdisciplinary support. In: French, DN, and Ronda, LT (Eds.), NSCA’s Essentials of Strength Training and Conditioning. Champaign, IL: Human Kinetics; 447-460, 2019.
  25. French, D. Adaptation to anaerobic training programs. In: Baechle, TR, and Earle, RW (eds.), NSCA’s Essentials of Strength Training and Conditioning. (4h ed.) Champaign, IL: Human Kinetics; 87-113, 2016.
  26. Gibala, MJ, and Little, JP. High-intensity interval training: A time-efficient strategy for health promotion? Current Sports Medicine Reports 18(12): 495-496, 2019.
  27. Herda, TJ, and Cramer, JT. Bioenergetics of exercise and training. In: Baechle, TR, and Earle, RW (eds.), NSCA’s Essentials of Strength Training and Conditioning. (4h ed.) Champaign, IL: Human Kinetics; 43-64, 2016.
  28. Hoffman, J. Physiological Aspects of Sport Training and Performance. Champaign, IL: Human Kinetics; 2002.
  29. Iaia, FM, Rampinini, E, and Bangsbo, J. High-intensity training in football: Brief review. International Journal of Sports Physiology and Performance 4: 291-306, 2009.
  30. Jovanovic, M. HIIT manual high intensity interval training and agile periodization. Complementary Training 175, 2018.
  31. Kahrizi, S, Parnianpour, M, Firoozabadi, SM, Kasemnejad, A, and Karimi, E. Evaluation of spinal internal loads and lumbar curvature under holding static load at different trunk and knee positions. Pakistan Journal of Biological Sciences 10(7): 1036-1043, 2007.
  32. Kelly, VG, Jackson, E, and Wood, A. Typical scores from the 1.2 km shuttle run test to determine maximal aerobic speed. Journal of Australian Strength and Conditioning 22(5): 183-185, 2014.
  33. Laursen, PB, and Buchheit, M. Programming team sports. In: French, DN, and Ronda, LT (eds.), NSCA’s Essentials of Strength Training and Conditioning. (1st ed.) Champaign, IL: Human Kinetics; 43-56, 2019.
  34. Massamba, A, Dufour, SP, Favret, F, and Hureau, TJ. Small sided games are not as effective as intermittent running to stimulate aerobic metabolism in prepubertal soccer players. International Journal of Sports Physiology and Performance 16(2): 273–279, 2020.
  35. Mendez, VA, and Buchheit, M. Football-specific fitness testing: Adding value or confirming the evidence? Journal of Sports Sciences 31(13): 1503-1508, 2013.
  36. Mohr, M, Krustrup, P, and Bangsbo, J. Match performance of high-standard soccer players with special reference to development of fatigue. Journal of Sports Science 21(7): 519-528, 2003.
  37. Morin, JB, and Samozino, P. Interpreting power-force-velocity profiles for individualised and specific training. International Journal of Sports Physiology and Performance 11(2): 267-272, 2016.
  38. Plowman, SA, and Smith, DL. Exercise Physiology for Health, Fitness, and Performance (5th ed.) Wolters Kluwer, 2017.
  39. Rakobowchuk, M, Stuckey, MI, Millar, PJ, and Gurr, L. Effect of acute sprint interval exercise on central and peripheral artery distensibility in young healthy males. European Journal of Applied Physiology 105(5): 787-795, 2009.
  40. Rampinini, E, Impellizzeri, FM, Castagna, C, Coutts, AJ, and Wisloff, U. Technical performance during soccer matches of the Italian Serie A league: Effect of fatigue and competitive level. Journal of Science and Medicine in Sport 12(1): 227-233, 2009.
  41. Rampinini, E, Coutts, AJ, Castagna, C, Sassi, R, and Impellizzeri, F. Variation in top level soccer match performance. International Journal of Sports Medicine 28(12): 1018-1024, 2007.
  42. Reuter, BH, and Dawes, JJ. Program design and technique for aerobic endurance training. In: Baechle, TR, and Earle, RW (ed.), Essentials of Sport Science. (4th ed.) Champaign, IL: Human Kinetics; 559-581, 2016.
  43. Sandford, GN, Kilding, AE, Ross, A, and Laursen, PB. Maximal sprint speed and the anaerobic speed reserve domain: The untapped tools that differentiate the world’s best male 800 m runners. Sports Medicine (Auckland, N.Z.) 49(6): 843-852, 2019.
  44. Stanković, M, Gušić, M, Nikolić, S, Barišić, V, Krakan, I, Sporiš, G, Mikulić, I, and Trajković, N. 30–15 intermittent fitness test: A systematic review of studies, examining the VO2 max estimation and training programming. Applied Sciences (Switzerland) 11(24): 2021.
  45. Swank, A, and Sharp, C. Adaptations to aerobic endurance training programs. In: Baechle, TR, and Earle, RW (eds.), NSCA’s Essentials of Strength Training and Conditioning. (4th ed.) Champaign, IL: Human Kinetics; 115-133, 2016.
  46. Triplett, TN. Structure and function of body systems. In: Baechle, TR, and Earle, RW (eds.), NSCA’s Essentials of Strength Training and Conditioning. (4th ed.) Champaign, IL: Human Kinetics; 1-18, 2016.
  47. Waldron, M, Worsfold, P, Twist, C, and Lamb, K. Concurrent validity and test–retest reliability of a global positioning system (GPS) and timing gates to assess sprint performance variables. Journal of Sports Sciences 29(15): 1613-1619, 2011.
  48. Weyand, PG, Sternlight, DB, Bellizzi, MJ, and Wright, S. Faster top running speeds are achieved with greater ground forces not more rapid leg movements. Journal of Applied Physiology 89(5): 1991-1999, 2000.
Photo of Varun Ghosh, CSCS, RSCC
About the author

Varun Ghosh, CSCS, RSCC

Contact Varun Ghosh

Contact Varun Ghosh

Your first name is required.
Your last name is required.
Your email is required.
Your message is required.
Your reCaptcha is required.

Your email was successfully sent to Varun Ghosh

Varun Ghosh is an experienced strength and conditioning coach based in India with a passion for optimizing athletes performance. He earned a Master of ...

View full biography
Available to:
Members only
Audience:
Coaches
#NSCAStrong #NSCAStrong

has been added to your shopping cart!

Continue Shopping Checkout Now