Strength and Endurance in Elite Football Players

Abstract We aimed to improve the physical capacity of a top-level elite football team during its pre-season by implementing a maximal strength and high-intensity endurance training program. 21 first league elite football players (20–31 yrs, height 171–194 cm, mass 58.8–88.1 kg) having recently participated in the UEFA Champions’ League, took part in the study. Aerobic interval-training at 90–95% of maximal heart rate and half-squats strength training with maximum loads in 4 repetitions×4 sets were performed concurrently twice a week for 8 weeks. The players were not familiar with maximal strength training as part of their regular program. Maximal oxygen uptake (VO 2max ) increased 8.6% (1.7–16.6) (p