Investigation of the effect of fartlek training on aerobic performance in adolescent female basketball players

Abstract

This study was conducted to determine the effects of fartlek training on running distance and maximal oxygen consumption capacity (VO₂ max) in female basketball players. There were 21 participants in the experimental group (N:12, mean age:14.83 years) and control group (N:9, mean age:14.83years). In this practice, a two-group pretest-posttest model was used. In this study, the experimental group performed running exercises using the Fartlek method on hilly terrain for 8 weeks, while the control group performed aerobic training on flat terrain. In addition to measurements of body weight (BW), height, and body mass index (BMI), athletes underwent measurements of the Balke treadmill test and VO₂max. SPSS 22 program was used for statistical analysis and G*Power program was used for sample size determination. As a result of the analysis, it was found that 18 participants would be sufficient. It was found that the data given in the study did not show the normal distribution and Wilcoxon signed-ranks test was used in the pre-test and post-test comparison and the Mann Whitney-U test was used in the comparison of the averages of two different groups. As a result of the measurements, it was found that running distance and maximum oxygen consumption capacity (VO₂max) in the experimental group were significantly in favour of the posttest, while body weight (BW) and body mass index (BMI) in the control group showed a significant decrease after the posttest compared to pretest values (p<0.005). At the end of the study, it was concluded that fartlek exercises led to a significant increase in running distance and (VO₂ max) measurements and had a positive effect on endurance parameters in female basketball players.