A Longitudinal Prospective Study: The Effect of Annual Seasonal Transition and Coaching Influence on Aerobic Capacity and Body Composition in Division I Female Soccer Players

• Main Authors: Troy M. Purdom, Kyle S. Levers, Chase S. McPherson, Jacob Giles, Lindsey Brown
• Format: Article
• Language: English
• Published: MDPI AG 2020-07-01
• Series: Sports
• Subjects: VO_2max; periodization; detraining; training adherence; directed training; indirect coaching model
• Online Access: https://www.mdpi.com/2075-4663/8/8/107

This study assessed how seasonal transitions and coaching influence affect aerobic capacity (AC) and body composition across the annual training cycle (ATC). Eleven division 1 female soccer players were tested after five predesignated time blocks (B1–B5): post-season 2016 (B1), nine-week transition (B2), spring season (B3), pre-season (B4), and post-season 2017 (B5). Height, weight, and body composition (fat-free mass (FFM)) were measured prior to a standardized 5 min treadmill running and dynamic movement warm up before a maximal AC test. Statistical analysis included a 4 × 5 repeated-measures analysis of variance (ANOVA) (dependent variable × time) with the Fishers Least Significant Difference (LSD) post-hoc test when relevant; data are presented as mean ± standard deviation, effect size (ES), and percent change (%). The statistical analysis revealed that the ATC had a significant main effect on AC and FFM (F_3,4 2.81, <i>p </i>= 0.001; η²= 0.22). There were significant increases in AC across the transition period (B1–B2) with reduced training volume (∆ + 12.9%, <i>p </i>= 0.001; ES = 0.50) while AC and FFM peaked after the spring season with directed concurrent training paired with adequate rest B1–B3 (∆ + 16.4%, <i>p</i> < 0.01; ES = 0.81). AC decreased across the pre-season with indirect training (B3–B4) (∆ − 7.0%, <i>p </i>= 0.02; ES = 0.50) and remained suppressed without change (<i>p</i> > 0.05) across the competitive season (B4–B5). Rest, concurrent training, and directed training positively affected AC, while indirect training and high training loads with little rest negatively affected AC.