The aim of this study was to investigate the effects of three weeks of training with intensity monitored on the aerobic capacity of professional soccer players. Fourteen players, members of a first division Brazilian Championship team in 2010, aged 22.78 ± 3.06 years were evaluated pre and post three weeks of training. The anaerobic threshold intensity LAn was determined by bi-segmented method, for this four submaximal efforts of 800 meters with intensities 10, 12, 14 and 16 km/h were applied. Thirty three training sessions were quantified in zones according to heart rate related to the LAn (FC LAn): Z1 - 10% below, Z2 - 90-100% and Z3 - above the FC LAn. During training participants remained 31.17 ± 14.86%, 42.96% and 25.87 ± 14.90 ± 16.67% in Z1, Z2, and Z3 respectively. There were no significant differences in the LAn (pre = 13,29 ± 0,71 km∙h-1; post = 12,85 ± 0,90 km∙h-1), perceived exertion (pre = 11,53 ± 1,45 u.a; post = 11,23 ± 1,53 u.a) and FC LAn (pre = 166,64 ± 10,69 bpm; post = 174,50 ± 10,89 bpm) between conditions before and after training, indicating that three weeks of training are insufficient to generate positive changes in soccer players LAn.
Anaerobic Threshold; Training; Soccer
