Changes in Cardiorespiratory Fitness during a Season in Elite Female Soccer, Basketball, and Handball Players

The purpose of the study was to examine and detect the changes in cardiorespiratory fitness of female soccer, basketball, and handball players during an annual training cycle. In the study, 19 soccer players (23.2 +/- 4.3 years), 26 basketball players (21.1 +/- 5.4 years), and 26 handball players (21.1 +/- 4.2 years) participated. All participants underwent anthropometric measurements and a laboratory maximal oxygen uptake test (VO2(max)) at the beginning of the preparation training period, in the middle of the competitive season, and at the end of it. VO2(max) showed significant changes in all three team sports from the initial measurement to the final, with a significant value increase in the middle of the competitive season and a small drop at the end (soccer 52.1 +/- 5.6 vs. 59.6 +/- 6.3 vs. 53.5 +/- 5.4, basketball 44.6 +/- 5.8 vs. 50.3 +/- 8.5 vs. 45.9 +/- 6.4, and handball 47.9 +/- 4.8 vs. 49.1 +/- 5.3 vs. 46.7 +/- 4.9 mL/kg/min) (p < 0.05), respectively. In conclusion, the cardiorespiratory fitness of female soccer, basketball, and handball players was significantly improved in the middle of the competitive season, probably due to the development of physical capacity. The decrease in cardiorespiratory fitness at the end of the competitive season, which was observed in all three team sport athletes, possibly occurred due to the differentiation in the training program.